2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth… I. THE EVIL OF DENYING PROVIDENCE. 1. It gives a liberty to all sin. What may not be done where there is no government? 2. It destroys all religion. (1) All worship. How is it possible to persuade men to regard Him for God who takes no care of them? (2) Prayer. What favour can we expect of Him who is regardless of dispensing any? (3) Praise. (4) Dependence, trust, and hope. 3. It is a high disparagement of God. 4. It is clearly against natural light. Socrates could say, "Whosoever denied providence was possessed with a devil." II. THE GROUNDS OF THE DENIAL OF PROVIDENCE. This is founded — 1. Upon an overweening conceit of men's own worth. When men saw themselves frustrated of the rewards they expected, and saw others that were instruments of tyranny and lust graced with the favours they thought due to their own virtue, they ran into a conceit that God did not mind the actions of men below. 2. Upon pedantical and sensual notions of God. As though it might detract from His pleasures and delight to look down upon this world, or as though it were a molestation of an infinite power to busy Himself about the cares of sublunary things. 3. On a flattering conceit of the majesty of God. 4. On their wishes upon any gripes of conscience. Those in Zephaniah were first settled upon their lees, and then to drive away all fears of punishment, deny God's government (Zephaniah 1:12). Some men, upon a sense of guilt, wish, for their own security, there were no providential eye to inspect them. III. THE VARIOUS WAYS WHEREIN MEN PRACTICALLY DENY PROVIDENCE, OR ABUSE IT, OR CONTEMN IT. 1. When they will walk on in a contrary way to checks of Providence. 2. In omissions of prayer (Psalm 14:2; 2 Kings 1:3; Job 15:4). 3. When men will turn every stone to gain the favourable assistance of men in their designs, and never address to God for His direction or blessing (Job 35:9, 10; 2 Chronicles 16:7, 12; Proverbs 3:5). 4. When upon receiving any good they make more grateful acknowledgment to the instruments than to God, the principal author of it (Isaiah 10:13, 14; Daniel 5:23; Hebrews 1:16). 5. When we use indirect courses and dishonest ways to gain wealth or honour. 6. When we distrust God when there is no visible means (Isaiah 51:12, 13; Psalm 52:7) 7. Stoutness, under God's afflicting or merciful hand, is a denial or contempt-providence (Daniel 5:23; Hosea 7:9; Isaiah 22:12, 13). 8. Envy is also a denial of providence. 9. Impatience under cross providence is a denial and contempt of God's government (Isaiah 8:21, 22). 10. In charging our sins and miscarriages by them upon Providence (Proverbs 19:3). 11. Many other ways. (1) When we do things with a respect to the pleasure of men more than of God. (2) In vain boasting and vaunting of ourselves. (3) Oppression (Psalm 94:6, 7). (4) Misinterpretations of Providence (Numbers 14:3). (5) In limiting Providence (Psalm 78:41). (S. Charnock, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. |
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