We believe that this good God, after He created all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune but leads and governs them according to His holy will, in such a way that nothing happens in this world without His orderly arrangement.
Yet God is not the author of, nor can He be charged with, the sin that occurs. For His power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that He arranges and does His work well and justly even when the devils and wicked men act unjustly.
We do not wish to inquire with undue curiosity into what He does that surpasses human understanding and is beyond our ability to comprehend. But in all humility and reverence we adore the just judgments of God, which are hidden from us, being content to be Christ's disciples, so as to learn only what He shows us in His Word, without going beyond those limits.
This doctrine gives us unspeakable comfort since it teaches us that nothing can happen to us by chance but only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father. He watches over us with fatherly care, keeping all creatures under His control, so that not one of the hairs on our heads (for they are all numbered) nor even a little bird can fall to the ground without the will of our Father. [Matthew 10:29-30].
In this thought we rest, knowing that He holds in check the devils and all our enemies, who cannot hurt us without His permission and will.
For that reason we reject the damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God involves Himself in nothing and leaves everything to chance.
Guido sets up this article about God's Providence by explaining it throughout. However, in the beginning he lays a foundation for the rest. And what he brings forth in the opening paragraph is splendid. In summary, Guido says that after the creation of the world, God did not leave anything to operate on its own. God continues to lead and govern all of creation that nothing happens without God acting in it.
And then the question arises: "If everything that happens comes from God; then what about sin? Is God the author of sin?"
Therefore, Guido anticipates this question and answers it in the next paragraph. Even when human beings act unjustly and wickedly; God still acts well and justly because His power and goodness are so incomprehensible.
So then what is our response?
In the next paragraph Guido says that we shouldn't inquire into what God has done because we then try to figure out God. However, what we should do is this: "being content to be Christ's disciples, so as to learn only what He shows us in His Word without going beyond those limits." God's Word has explained to us everything that we need to know; therefore we shouldn't go beyond that--rather, we are to be content to be Christ's disciples. That is our response of piety to Gods' providence.
What do you think of this doctrine? What emotions does it cause to stir in you?
Guido states that it "gives us unspeakable comfort". This doctrine gives us comfort and then Guido names three reasons why.
First, because everything happens not by chance, but "only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father."
And secondly, "He watches over us with fatherly care, keeping all creatures under His control." So that means, every created thing is under God's care!
And thirdly, "knowing that He holds in check the devils and all our enemies, who cannot hurt us without His permission and will." Everything that happens to us must go through God first.
This is very personal since God is named as our Father throughout this article many times.
Therefore, our response to this doctrine of God's providence is piety. Trust and faithfulness in God and all His ways are how we need to respond to His work in the world and in our lives.
For further study:
- Read the story of Job
- Read the story of Esther
- Read the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-45)
