Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2
“What do you understand by the providence of God? Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty — all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from His fatherly hand.”
Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus served as primary co-authors of the Heidelberg Catechism 27 (1563). This was one of many Reformation documents mentioned at the EFCA Theology Conference at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL over the past few days (pictured above). The Heidelberg Catechism was, in plain terms, a document drafted in Germany as a resource for teaching young people and as a manual for preaching in churches across the country.
This excerpt from it that defines “providence” is both timeless and tender. When we realize God cares for everything and that nothing happens by chance but that everything comes to us from His fatherly hand, we are humbled and become profoundly grateful. The humility and gratitude also lead us to become more generous because they take us to a place of realizing how generous God has been to us in the past, is toward us in the present, and will be unto us in the future.
God, thanks for upholding us and everything else in creation by your fatherly hand. When we prosper, help us enjoy and share your blessings. If we find ourselves in poverty, show your glory by hearing our prayers and working to minister to our needs by your Holy Spirit and through humble and grateful saints. Hear my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.