Week Eleven of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, and in reflection. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items. Come back often and let your heart be refreshed in the love of Christ for you.
“If God is not sovereign, then God is not God.”
– R.C. Sproul
Bible Reading
Liturgy – Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 11: What are God’ s works of providence?
God’ s works of providence are, his most holy, (Ps. 145:17) wise, (Ps. 104:24, Isa. 28:29) and powerful preserving, (Heb. 1:3) and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. (Ps. 103:19, Matt. 10:29–31)
Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures. (ESV)
Providence is wonderfully intricate. Ah! You want always to see through Providence, do you not? You never will, I assure you. You have not eyes good enough. You want to see what good that affliction was to you; you must believe it. You want to see how it can bring good to the soul; you may be enabled in a little time; but you cannot see it now; you must believe it. Honor God by trusting Him.
Charles Spurgeon
Prayer
Holy Father.
All your works of providence are rooted in your steadfast love.
Your grace abounds over us at every moment.
We question your providence and sovereignty.
Not that we doubt the rightness of your actions,
for you are fully sovereign and in control.
No, we question the correctness or your decisions,
the giving or withholding of your precious gifts and blessings.
Why?
We lose sight of our holy loving Father and focus on the gifts.
In our sin we live life under the sun, only caring about the here and now.
Lord, forgive us for only seeing the present circumstances and losing sight of Jesus.
Your providence is holy, wise, preserving, and caring.
Teach us to truly know and understand that this momentary affliction is for our good.
Not simply our good in this physical realm of fragile life,
but eternally good for our immortal soul.
And what is this good?
It is nothing less than transforming our wandering hearts into faithfulness.
It is the all-powerful Spirit of Christ living and dwelling within us.
It is this mortal, weak, and frail image bearer of God being strengthened to fulfill its purpose.
That purpose is to glorify the Lord in all our lives.
To be agents of grace in the world around us.
To be the hands of feet of Christ to this broken and lost world.
It is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
This is our motivation and purpose leading us onward to our heavenly home.