Theology in our Doxology: The Providence of God in It is Well with my Soul. Romans 8:28.
The goal in this series is to remind us of the great heritage that we have inherited from history primarily through the hymns that we are singing.
Theology means, in laymen’s terms, doctrinal truth. Doxology meanwhile is our response, a heartfelt response upon the truths that we know and believe.
Some notes on providence we must consider 1. That everything is under God’s sovereignty 2. That nothing happens without God’s permission 3. That sometimes, God’s providence and outworking can be a mysterious thing for us, but ultimately it is the wisdom of God
Romans 8:28 is a text that summarises for us the providence of God. It can be examined as below.
The Theology of God’s Providence
1. The Certainty Given to us
The emphasis here is that we know. It is on what we are informed of first and foremost. It is Knowledge vs feelings. When we go to church, the primary reason is not for us to be entertained, to feel satisfied, and happy. No, the primary reason why we come in to the church is to impart knowledge of about our Lord. Knowledge about his will. Knowledge about his saving grace. Teaching. Preaching. Informing is very important in Christian faith. So in our worship dear congregation, we are singing things that we know, things that we surely hope for, things that we cling upon because the Lord will be faithful in his words. But it is also Surety vs Uncertainty. Look at the phrasing he did not say, maybe all things work together for good? Or I pray so, or I hope so, perhaps, possibly. The confidence of Paul is present when he says - We know!
2. The Comprehensive / Complete outworking of God for us.
We can look at first - the totality of God’s providence.Paul did not say - many things - some things - several things -no he did say, All things! It is the comprehensive power of God across everything! Secondly, The wisdom of God’s providence. He is as if the great artist painting the greatest picture. He is the greatest story teller and poet writing a masterpiece. There is no plot in any little stories in our life that was not made for his glory and for our God. Thirdly, The purpose of God's providence. The purpose is that we may be ushered back to his presence which is the ultimate good of all!
3. The Comfort given to Us
Firstly, we are reminded here of God’s goodness to his people. CH Spurgeon says, While others are congratulating themselves, I have to sit humbly at the foot of the cross and marvel that I’m saved at all. The mystery of it all is that he saved us - and he showed his love to us! To we who sinned against him. Secondly, We are reminded here of God’s gracious power for his people. We are called, chosen by God. In the same manner that Israel was the chosen nation, did not God say this to us in 1 Peter 2:9 ? The church is the ecclessia - the called out ones. God has called us. Whatever happens to us we have a comfort that God is there orchestrating everything.
A Doxology for God's Providence
Look at how it is presented in the hymn, It is Well with my Soul:
Present in all occasion.
In times of peace. His providence is there. In times of calamity he is surely there for us.
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul!”
Precious in times of affliction
Satan wanted to test us and indict us and wrestle against us. But God’s providence is there to assist us in our helpless condition.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Prominent primarily through our salvation
What else can we ask for? Take everything from us, but not our salvation. This is the greatest comfort in this life that we have been redeemed by God! Burden free.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to His Cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Perfected in our future union
But the greatest hope is that one day, we will see our Lord. May it happen soon that we see him face to face.
O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Discover the incredible journey of a man who stood strong in the face of adversity. Witness the power of unwavering faith and the triumph of the human spirit. Prepare to be inspired and uplifted. #persecutiontofaith #inspiringjourney #courageandhope #triumphofspirit #UnwaveringFaith #overcomingadversity #inspirationalstory #PowerOfFaith #humanspirit #HopeAndCourage ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
Join us for worship online. Let us know you are watching. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We expect to be LIVE at 10 AM & 6PM. Hope you can join us. www.youtube.com/aussiechurch/live ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
Join us for worship online. Let us know you are watching. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We expect to be LIVE at 10 AM & 6PM. Hope you can join us. www.youtube.com/aussiechurch/live ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook