Topical Bible: The Providence of God is Exercised in Preserving his Creatures

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The concept of divine providence is central to understanding how God interacts with His creation. In Christian theology, providence refers to God's continuous involvement with all created things, guiding them toward their divinely ordained purposes. One significant aspect of this providence is God's preservation of His creatures, ensuring their sustenance and well-being.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous passages that affirm God's role in preserving His creation. In the book of Psalms, we find a profound expression of this truth: "The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made" (Psalm 145:9). This verse highlights God's benevolent care for all His creatures, underscoring His commitment to their preservation.

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of God's providential care in the Sermon on the Mount: "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26). Here, Jesus emphasizes God's meticulous care for even the smallest of His creatures, assuring believers of their greater worth and the certainty of God's provision.

Theological Implications

The doctrine of God's providence in preservation is rooted in His attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence. God's omnipotence ensures that He has the power to sustain all things. As the Apostle Paul writes, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). This passage affirms that Christ, as the divine Logos, is the sustaining force of the universe.

God's omniscience guarantees that He is fully aware of the needs of His creation. In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus reassures His followers of God's intimate knowledge and care: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" .

Finally, God's benevolence is the driving force behind His providential care. His love and compassion motivate Him to preserve and sustain His creation. The psalmist declares, "The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Psalm 145:15-16).

Practical Considerations

Understanding God's providence in preserving His creatures has practical implications for believers. It fosters a sense of trust and reliance on God's provision, encouraging a life of faith rather than anxiety. As Jesus instructs, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).

Moreover, recognizing God's care for all creation inspires believers to act as stewards of the environment, reflecting God's love and care in their treatment of the natural world. This stewardship is a response to the divine mandate given in Genesis 1:28, where humanity is called to "fill the earth and subdue it" and to "rule over" the creatures, implying a responsibility to preserve and protect.

In summary, the providence of God in preserving His creatures is a testament to His power, wisdom, and love. It assures believers of His constant care and challenges them to live in a manner that honors His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 9:6
You, even you, are LORD alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and you preserve them all; and the host of heaven worships you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 36:6
Your righteousness is like the great mountains; your judgments are a great deep: O LORD, you preserve man and beast.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... general agency on which the power of motion depends, exercised in preserving and ...
Hence we infer, not only that the general providence of God, continuing the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

Of Certain Special Favours Exercised by the Divine Providence in ...
... OF CERTAIN SPECIAL FAVOURS EXERCISED BY THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE ... God also appointed
other favours for a small ... some others, whom the Divine providence seized upon ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi of certain special.htm

Of the Love of Conformity Proceeding from Sacred Complacency.
... and privileges, which the Divine Providence has established ... and mercy are so admirably
exercised, and we ... exceeding complacency in seeing how God exercises his ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i of the love.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... clay?" it must be God's power justly exercised which is ... They enjoy the good things
of Providence (temporal blessings) in common with God's own children ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

The Trial at Caesarea
... are done unto his nation by thy providence, we accept ... all kinds of lust and cruelty,
he exercised the power ... God justly claims the love and obedience of all His ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 39 the trial at.htm

He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Justice for his Name's Sake.
... people from their sins.(26) He exercised, as we ... and guards the only revelation which
God has made ... sluggishly presume that a bountiful Providence will provide ...
//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/vi he leadeth me in.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... God, the vicissitudes of life dependent on the will of ... good, [702]189; angels fulfill
the providence of, [703 ... had creatures over whom He exercised His sovereignty ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... This view of the decrees of God does not make ... Providence is not an occasional
interference, but a constant ... that a moral government is exercised over mankind ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on ...
... home, and united in one, to be exercised about this ... himself within the Father's love
and providence, and is ... weary, but he is the everlasting God, who faileth ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii thou shall keep.htm

The First Book
... and all things derive their security from providence, even as ... judge, for in avenging
him he exercised judgment ... Moreover, God at once added another item to this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm