God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

2 7 4 /

G O D T H E F A T H E R

W.B. Pope puts the importance of providence in the study of religion when he says:

Providence is the most comprehensive term in the language of theology. It is the background of all the several departments of religious truth, a background mysterious in its commingled brightness and darkness. It penetrates and fills the whole compass of the relations of man with his Maker. It connects the unseen God with the visible creation, and the visible creation with the work of redemption, and redemption with personal salvation, and personal salvation with the end of all things. It carries our thoughts back to the supreme purpose which was in the beginning with God, and forward to the foreseen end and consummation of all things, while it includes between these the whole infinite variety of the dealings of God with man.

~ W. B. Pope. Compendium of Christian Theology , I. p. 456.

Such a comprehensive subject demands both our hard work, and our humility.

This devotion focuses on the greatness of our God in his unlimited rulership and ownership of all things. God’s oversight of the world includes all beings and things, it encompasses the tiniest flea to the largest sperm whale, and touches the whiskers on our face to the furthest galaxy trillions and trillions of trillions of miles away. The care of God is like his nature–infinite and remarkable. Psalm 145 offers a good synopsis and summary of the extraordinary providence of God over all things in the universe: Ps. 145.9-13 - The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. [10] All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! [11] They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, [12] to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. [13] Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]

2 Page 43 Devotion