Did you know that Providence is not only a place in Rhode Island, but a long held doctrine of the Christian Church? Simply stated, providence is "The holy, wise and powerful work of God by which He preserves and governs all His creatures, and all their actions." The doctrine is based on verses like this one: "In Him we have obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will." (Eph. 1:11) God is directing every detail of all creation to accomplish His will. This work falls into 2 categories. The first is preservation, which is God's act of maintaining the energy and material of the universe. The second is governance, which is God's directing of all creatures to do as He has intended. How wonderful to know that God is not in heaven feverishly trying to respond to all that happens in creation, but is actually directing all affairs of creation to accomplish His eternal purpose. Like the potter molding the clay, God exercises His will and power over all of His creatures. That includes saving a sinner like me!
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