All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. Psalm 104:27-28
“Providence is the hand that turns all the wheels in the universe; it is the pilot who steers the ship of the creation. Providences are sometimes dark, often difficult to decipher. God often writes in shorthand. His providences are often secret, but always wise.”
Thomas Watson in Puritan Gems; or, Wise and Holy Saying of the Rev. Thomas Watson, Anglican Minister. edited and arranged by the Rev. John Adey (London: Snow and Ward, 1850) 115.
I spent some time in prayer in my hotel room as I approach Lent. As “examine” is my word for the year, I wanted to examine what strengthens our ability to practice the Lenten disciplines of giving, prayer, and fasting. It’s God’s providence.
The reason we set aside our desires is because He cares for us more than we care for ourselves. The reason we pray simple, humble prayers of dependence is because He is absolutely dependable. An the reason we give is because He first gave to us.
Walk outside today. Give thanks for God’s providence. Look for His shorthand. What does it say to you? How do you see his matchless care? How does creation rely on His absolute dependability? In what ways do you see His abundant generosity and how might you imitate it?
Now resolve to observe Lent this year rooted in His matchless care. Join me for an Ash Wednesday zoom at 4am Denver time (4pm in Karachi, Pakistan) tomorrow. Register at bit.ly/GTPLent2025. Whether or not you join the zoom, download Lent Companion here and journey with me through Lent.