The Providence of God Intro

[0:00] Take your Bibles and turn to Psalm 135. Psalm 135. We're going to read the entire Psalm.

[0:10] ! For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.

[0:37] I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.

[0:49] He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men and animals.

[1:04] He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings, Sihon, king of the Amorites, Og, king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan.

[1:20] And he gave their land as an inheritance, inheritance to his people Israel. Your name, O Lord, endures forever.

[1:31] Your renown, O Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. The idols of the nations are silver and gold made by the hands of men.

[1:46] They have mouths, but cannot speak. Eyes, but they cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear. Nor is there breath in their mouths.

[1:57] Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. O house of Israel, praise the Lord. O house of Aaron, praise the Lord.

[2:11] O house of Levi, praise the Lord. You who fear him, praise the Lord. Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem.

[2:22] Praise the Lord. I invite you to open your Bibles to Psalm 135, the psalm that was read for us.

[2:33] In this psalm, we get to go back 3,000 years in time and drop in on a worship service in Israel and hear what the people of God are singing to the Lord.

[2:51] Psalm 135. They're praising the Lord because he is good and he is great. Verse 3, praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

[3:08] And his goodness is seen how? In his election. His choosing a people to be his own treasured possession. Brothers and sisters, what goodness we should be celebrating this morning, that he has chosen us in Christ.

[3:25] But the Lord is also great. Verse 5, I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is greater than all gods. And how is God's greatness seen and expressed?

[3:39] Verse 6, the Lord does whatever pleases him. In the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.

[3:51] Notice here that the measure of greatness is the ability to do what one pleases. So there's Susie playing in her bedroom.

[4:02] And she would like everything to be done according to her desire in that one room. And so she's arranged everything just right. Everything in the place where she wants it to be.

[4:16] And then she needs to go and get a drink from the kitchen. And while she's gone, little brother comes in and rearranges it all. And messes it up. And what does that teach us? Well, it teaches us that Susie is not very great.

[4:30] She can't even do everything that pleases her in that one little room. Mom's got a garden. 20 by 20 patch.

[4:41] And it would please her to be able to grow zucchini all summer long. But there's a worm that makes its way into the stem of the plant.

[4:55] And overnight it wilts and dies. Showing us that mom's not very great. She can't even have her way and do what she pleases in that 20 by 20 spot.

[5:09] Dad goes off to work. He's got plans for a profitable day today at his business. That would be what pleases him. But some employee that's a key figure in that day calls in sick.

[5:26] And his plans go down the tubes. Showing us again that even dad is not very great. He can't even get one day to go the way that would please him entirely.

[5:40] And it's the same thing, isn't it, with presidents and kings. They find that they're not able to do all that they want. But here. Here is our God.

[5:52] And he does whatever pleases him. Whatever pleases him. That's what he does. Do you see how great God must be to be able to do that?

[6:06] He does what nobody else in all the universe can do. He pulls off the very things that please him. And where is he doing that?

[6:17] Where is he doing whatever pleases him? Not in a little room. A 20-20 garden. A little business. No, in the heavens. Plural.

[6:27] The heavens. That the birds fly in. The heavens. That the stars shine in. And the heavens where his throne is. And on the earth.

[6:39] Where you and I live. And in the sea. And all the way down. To their depths. Folks, that's the whole shoot and match. That's the whole universe.

[6:50] And that's where God does whatever pleases him. Isn't he great? Isn't he majestic? Isn't he magnificent to be able to pull that off?

[7:04] An awesome God that he is. Well, what kinds of things does he do? What is his pleasure? And what is it that he does in his world?

[7:15] Well, the rest of the psalm gives examples. He makes clouds rise. Just like he did today. He sends lightning with the rain.

[7:25] Just as he did today. He brings out the wind. So, he does as he pleases with the weather. Verse 8. He struck down the firstborn of Egypt.

[7:36] And performed signs and wonders. Plagues. Verse 10. He struck down many nations there in the promised land. Killing many kings along the way.

[7:48] And gave their land as an inheritance to his people Israel. He does all sorts of things that please him. And thereby demonstrate his greatness.

[7:59] There's none like him. He alone does whatever pleases him. How unlike the nation. The idols of the nations. That's where he goes in this psalm.

[8:11] Idols that can't speak. They're dumb. They're deaf. They can't do. They can't help. There's nothing they can do. And here's our God.

[8:23] He does everything that pleases him. And then the psalm ends where it started. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. That's the response worthy of such a God that we have brothers and sisters.

[8:37] That of praise and worship. Now what Psalm 135 is talking about is what theologians have called the providence of God.

[8:48] That God does whatever pleases him. In the heavens. The earth. The sea. And all their depths. That he's able to do whatever pleases him.

[9:00] Everywhere. And in all things. And at all times. Because he rules. As sovereign Lord. Over it all. The providence of God.

[9:14] So today we're beginning a new series on the providence of God. And I want to introduce this topic with several sermons of introduction. And give an overview.

[9:25] Give some basic foundations to this doctrine. And I want you to know I'm in a hurry to get to two lives in which we see this so evidently displayed for us.

[9:39] And for our learning in many lessons for us. The lives of Joseph and Esther. We'll see how soon we get there. But why study God's providence? Well there are many benefits.

[9:52] I don't know of any doctrine in the word of God that is more practical to the Christian life. And we'll see many of those benefits. But the reason that meets us here in Psalm 135.

[10:05] Why study the providence of God? To recapture the greatness of God in our thoughts. You see I have a problem.

[10:16] And I would imagine that you might have it as well. That my view of God tends to shrink. And get smaller than what he really is.

[10:29] I have a shrinking problem in my thoughts about God. Due to remaining sin and its effects upon my mind. You chefs when you're making pizza crust or pie crust.

[10:43] What's the tendency of the dough? You just made it and you plop it down. And you make a couple passes over it. What's its tendency? Is it not to shrink? To pull back?

[10:54] To get smaller? So what do you do? You hit it again with that rolling pin. And you just keep rolling again and again. Until it gets larger and larger. And then you nail it down.

[11:05] Or do whatever you need to. To get it into the pie pan. But you've got to work with it. Don't you? To keep it from shrinking. There's something like that about our thoughts of God.

[11:16] There's this natural tendency in our fallen minds. Even though they're redeemed. To shrink God down in size. To think of him as less than what he is really like.

[11:32] In Psalm 50 and verse 21. God says to the wicked. You thought that I was altogether like you. What a shrink job.

[11:47] The great God. All together. Like man. Little man. What puny thoughts men have about God. So after reading something that Erasmus wrote during the Reformation era.

[12:00] Martin Luther wrote him a letter. And he said. Erasmus. Your thoughts about God are too human. Too small. That's the problem with your writing.

[12:13] On this subject. And that's not only a problem with the wicked. The righteous struggle with it as well.

[12:23] How many times over the past week. Might God have had reason to come to you and say. Your thoughts of me are too human.

[12:35] You're thinking of me altogether. Too small. Too small. So my great and reoccurring need. Is to recapture the greatness of God.

[12:48] I need some powerful truths to hit me like a rolling pin. And to stretch my thoughts of God. To approximate the greatness that he is.

[13:00] Until I am lost in wonder. Love and praise. At how great God is. And then I'm going to need to recapture.

[13:14] The greatness of God. Again on Tuesday afternoon. When I'm. Thinking small thoughts about him. I live in this constant need. Of.

[13:27] Correcting my small thoughts of God. God. That's where. The providence of God. Can help us. It's a mind stretching roller pin.

[13:40] To stretch and correct. Our shrunken views. To magnify God. To bring him. Into. The size of which he really is. Here in my thoughts. As I think about him.

[13:52] Psalm 135. Says to us. That the providence of God. Demonstrates the greatness of God. I know that the Lord is great. How? Because the Lord does whatever pleases him. Everywhere.

[14:04] So may the Lord use this study. To leave us with thoughts of God. That are ever expanding. And getting larger and larger. And more true to the God. Who really. Exists.

[14:17] So let's jump in. Three points today. First the definition of God's providence. And you can find fuller definitions. In the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Excellent.

[14:27] Go there. Read it. I'm sure you can get it online. The Heidelberg Catechism. Excellent. Even chapter five. Of our 1689 Confession of Faith. In many of the hymnals. There in front of you.

[14:39] Has seven helpful paragraphs. On the providence of God. But what I want to give you. Is just a very simple definition. That we could memorize. Ben if you put it up. For us.

[14:50] And it's just that God. Upholds and controls. All his creatures. All their actions. All the time. Would you read it with me? God upholds.

[15:02] And controls. All his creatures. All their actions. All the time. God did not make a universe.

[15:14] And then walk away from it. As the deist would say. And just let it. Go. And see what happens. As a. As a mere spectator. Looking into his world. God. No.

[15:29] He not only made all things. He now upholds. All things. And controls. And governs. All things. In the world that he made.

[15:40] Hebrews chapter 1. And verse 3. Says. Of God the Son. That. He. Jesus Christ. Is the one. Upholding. All things. Sustaining.

[15:51] All things. By the word of his power. He's. He's the one. Colossians 1. 17. Says that. He's holding. All things together.

[16:03] If God. Just walked away. From his universe. For a second. It would fly apart. No. It's him. Who's holding it all. Together. In its order. Your body.

[16:15] To the solar system. To the galaxies. He. Is the one. Who upholds. The birds. That need their food. The. The 8 billion people.

[16:26] That need their food. It's God. Who upholds. And. Provides. And. And. Gives breath. To every living thing. He opens his hand. And satisfies.

[16:36] The desire. Of every living thing. And he not only. Upholds. All things. That he's made. He controls. All things. Psalm 103. And verse 19.

[16:47] The Lord. Has established. His throne. In the heavens. His kingdom. Rules. Over all. So he reigns. Our God reigns.

[16:57] That's. That's what the providence. Of God is about. It's about a God. Who reigns. Over all. He governs. It all. He. He. He. He orders it. As he wants it. He. He.

[17:07] He is directing it. He is controlling it. So the Bible. Presents us. With a God. Who is. Very involved. With his creation. Always involved.

[17:19] With all parts. Of his creation. Now we're going to look more carefully at that word all. Because the Bible doesn't just use it like it does in those texts. That he upholds all things.

[17:30] That he reigns over all. It descends into particulars. Things. And I wanted to include it here. But. We'd been here till noon. And I know some of you have your timers set at home.

[17:42] And that wouldn't work. With dinner plans. But we'll spend some time seeing. What all does God control. And order. And govern. The Bible descends into particulars.

[17:53] Things as. As minute as that sparrow. Hitting your window. And falling down. It's all part of God's. Control. And order. In this universe. Not a thing.

[18:04] The hairs on your head. It's from the littlest to the greatest. It's from. The things that. Are not living. Like a stone.

[18:18] To living things. Like animals. And fish. And birds. And dinosaurs. And non-animal.

[18:28] Human beings. And wicked men. And righteous men. He rules over all. It really does mean all. And we'll look at that. To see just how far his control reaches.

[18:43] The definition then. Read it with me once more. God upholds. And controls. All his creatures. All their actions. All the time.

[18:53] Now the second thing. And I think this is important. For us to see. Up front. Is the purpose of God's providence. Why does God. Uphold and control.

[19:05] All things. What's his aim. What does he use this power. And control. To do. And the Bible's answer. Is to bring to pass.

[19:15] All of his plans. His plans. To bring into. Fulfillment. All that he has purposed. And planned. Do you know people.

[19:26] Who fly by the seat. Of their pants. Pardon the expression. That there are people. That don't make plans. And Chuck. I think it did have. It's. It's origin. In the flight world.

[19:37] You don't fly by the seat. Of your pants. But. Somebody that flies. By the seat of their pants. Just doesn't plan. They don't plan ahead. They just decide.

[19:48] What to do. In the moment. They improvise. On the spot. Always reacting. To whatever's just. Happening right now. It's not a wise way. To live.

[19:58] And it's not the way. God lives. God is a God. Of purposes. And plans. God is a God. Of decisions. That he has made. Ahead of time. And then.

[20:09] Brings to pass. Scripture. Isaiah 46. 10 and 11. I. This is God speaking. I make known.

[20:19] The end. From the beginning. From ancient times. What is still to come. I say.

[20:31] My purpose. Will stand. And I will do. All that I please. What I have said. That will I bring about.

[20:41] What I have planned. That will. I do. Now those. Words are pregnant. With precious truths. And they spell. The providence of God.

[20:53] What do we learn. From these verses. Isaiah 46. 10 and 11. Well first. That God has plans. So. That's the most. Plain thing. On the text. God. Has plans.

[21:05] Things that he's already. Decided. And purposed to happen. Number two. What do we learn. These plans. Were made. From the beginning. From ancient times. Indeed. Ephesians 1.

[21:15] 4. Tells us. That God chose us. In Christ. Before the creation. Of the world. That we should be holy. And blameless. In his sight. Indeed.

[21:26] God's plans. Were made. From all eternity. Past. And the. Word for that. Is God's. Decreed will. It's. It's what God. Has decided. Will happen. In his world.

[21:38] His decree. And that was decided. Before time. And then thirdly. We learn. From Ephesians 1. 11. That God's plans.

[21:49] Include. Everything. That happens. In space time. History. So. Ephesians 1. 11. In Christ.

[22:00] We were also. Chosen. Having been. Predestined. According to the plan. Of him. Who works out. Everything. In conformity. With. The purpose.

[22:10] Of his will. So God. Has a purpose. A plan. And then he has. What's actually. Happening. In his world. And he works out. Everything.

[22:20] In conformity. With. That is. He matches. What's happening. In his real life. World. He matches it. In conformity. With what he purposed. His decreed will.

[22:31] His plans. So. Our confession. Says. From all eternity. God decreed. All that should happen. In time. That's the teaching.

[22:42] Of the Bible. Isaiah 46. Ephesians 1. Now. The fact. That God. Made his plans. From. Eternity past.

[22:52] Means. That you and I. Were not there. Right. Can we agree. With that. We weren't there. So. So. How do we learn. About God's plans. How do we know. What God planned.

[23:04] How do we know. What his decrees are. Two ways. The first. He reveals them to us. In predictive prophecy. And promises. He tells us.

[23:18] What he's going to do. Ahead of time. Now. Most of God's plans. Are secret. Most of what he's decreed. Would happen. He keeps to himself. Deuteronomy 29.

[23:29] The secret things. Belong to the Lord. Our God. The things that are revealed. Belong to us. And our children. He's got a lot of secrets. That he's not told us. Things that he's decreed. Is going to happen.

[23:40] He knows the way. I'm going to die. He hasn't told me that. I'm glad he hasn't. It's his secret. It's his plan. It's his decree. It's the way. I'm going to die. But he's not revealed it to me.

[23:52] But there are some things. He has revealed to me. And we find them. In our Bibles. Predictive prophecy. He predicted. That he was going to bring. His. His redeemer.

[24:02] Into the world. Through which he would save people. From all the nations. He predicted that. Long ago. And then he did it. So God. Reveals. In his promises.

[24:13] What are his promises? It's. It's a revelation. Of his plans. What he's planned to do. He. Reveals. In his promises. So Jesus Christ.

[24:25] Is coming back. Back. That was. His plan. He's coming back. To judge all men. And to remake.

[24:37] The universe. God planned it. And we know it. Because he tells us. About it. In his word. Over. And over. And over. Again. Precisely.

[24:48] When he's coming back. Well that part. Of the plan. He's kept secret. Oh he's got a plan. He knows the day. And the hour. But he's not revealed that. To anyone.

[25:00] Not to the angels. Not to the son. Only the father. So we learn God's plans. By reading. The predictive prophecies.

[25:11] And promises. All right. That's one way we learn. About his eternal plans. You know the other. The only other way we learn. Is by current events.

[25:22] Current events. Watch the news. Pay attention to what happened in your life. This week. And as you see. What happens. You.

[25:33] Have revealed to you. What God had planned. Because everything. That God plans. Happens. In his world. Nothing happens. In his world. That he's not.

[25:44] Planned. So every day. I'm learning more and more. About God's plans. I'm learning. That Ollie and Brooke. Were to be married. And now I'm learning. That Joseph and Kelly.

[25:54] Are to be married. I'm learning a lot. Just by. Watching. Listening. Seeing what God is doing. In the world. He does nothing. Without. Without. First planning. So I know.

[26:09] Indeed. Each of us here know. That from eternity. God planned for us. To be here. At 535. South Berkey Street. Bremen, Indiana. On August the 18th.

[26:21] 2019. And 20 after. 11. How do I know that? How do I know that? That was. In the mind of God.

[26:32] Planning. For this day. Because. We're here. Nothing happens in time. That he did not decree. In eternity. So God has plans.

[26:45] About everything. That happens. Now. It's one thing to plan. And it's another thing. To execute. Right? That's. The obvious. Things don't just.

[26:58] Naturally fall out. According to plan. Don't they? Isn't there a Murphy's law. That if anything. Could go wrong. It will go wrong. Just try that. With your plans. They don't. Don't just make a plan.

[27:08] And then just step back. And see. Does it all fall together. Half half. On its own. Randomly. No. Usually. There's no small action. And. Needed. An activity. Needed. Needed. On our part.

[27:18] To make our plans. Come to pass. Often. Our plans. Fail. As we saw. In Susie's room. In mother's garden. In dad's job. Not everybody. And everything. Is on board.

[27:29] With. What. We desire. And plan. To do. There's no. End. To the possibilities. That would. Frustrate. And spoil. Our plans. No wonder.

[27:40] Our plans. Often. Fail. We can't even control. Little brother. One worm. One. Employee's health.

[27:52] And so. The plans. Get scuttled. That never. Happens. With God's plan. Never. Whatever. God plans. Always. Happens.

[28:05] Think. What. God. Must. Be in control. Of. To make. That happen. That means. Every younger brother. Every worm.

[28:17] In the garden. That means. Every employee's health. That means. Every. Creature. In. Every one. Of their actions. All.

[28:28] The time. Now. How are God's plans. Fulfilled. How does it come about.

[28:39] That everything. That he plans. Happens in time. Again. With God. It doesn't just fall out. That way. It is. Is it by chance. Is God. Just incredibly lucky. To have all of his plans.

[28:49] Work out. Perfect. No. He makes it happen. That's the point. That's the providence. Of God. He makes. It happen. He makes what happen. He makes. Everything.

[29:00] That he's planned. Happen. In time. And how does he do that. By his providence. By. His upholding. Controlling. Of everything. My purpose.

[29:12] Will stand. I will do. All that I please. What I've said. That will. I bring about. What I have planned. That will. I do.

[29:23] You see. God's active. In his creation. He didn't just plan. And walk away. No. He. He's involved. To bring about. What he planned. He works out.

[29:33] Everything. In conformity. With the purpose. Of his will. So. So. God's providence. Is a staggering.

[29:43] Worldview. It's a staggering. Way. To look at your world. And that's why I say. There's nothing more practical. Than this. If. If. If. If. If. If.

[29:53] Get a hold. Of this truth. It will radically. Change the way you live. Or rather. If this truth. Gets a hold of you. It will change you. When you see.

[30:04] Anything. That happens. To immediately. Tie it. To the fact. That God. Had a plan. That he is now. Bringing to pass. That's why this happened.

[30:16] And oh. My. When you realize. That it covers. All things. That's why I say. Nothing's the same. With a God. Of providence. Are you feeling.

[30:30] The roller pin yet. Is it stretching. Out your. Your small views. Of God. You say. Oh. But. But. But. But. Well.

[30:41] I'll save that. For later. Would you have a God. That's no bigger. Than your mind. Can figure out. And understand. That big. You've really. Shrunk him.

[30:53] You kidding me. That this God. Can only do. In his world. What you. Think. God ought to be like. That's the ultimate. Shrunk job. No.

[31:06] We should expect. As we'll come to see. There to be a whole lot. About. The providence of God. That we don't understand. But he works out. Everything.

[31:17] Everything. In conformity. With. The purpose. Of his will. Without. God's providence.

[31:30] His plans. Would fail. Just like yours do. Okay. Without. God's providence. His plans. Would fail. Just like. Yours do.

[31:41] We would live in a world. Of chaos. We would live in a world. Without anybody. In the driver's seat. But God's providence. Is his controlling all things.

[31:53] To bring about his plans. Now. The. The. The reason this. Expands our view. And makes God see so big. Appear. So big.

[32:03] As he really is. Is. When we just think of all the things. That could go wrong. To frustrate. One of God's plans. Let alone.

[32:14] All. Of his plans. The. The possibilities. Are endless. There are people. And demons. That don't like God's plans. We think of Christ's.

[32:27] Work. Of redemption. It was as if all hell. And all the world combined. Sought to. Stop that. So. So what happens. When God's plans.

[32:39] And man's plans. Collide. And they do. Every day. Well. God's told us about that. In Psalm 33.

[32:49] Verses 10 and 11. The Lord. Foils. The plans. Of the nations. He thwarts. The purposes. Of the peoples. But the plans.

[33:00] Of the Lord. Stand firm. Forever. The purposes. Of his heart. Through all generations. That's what happens. When God's plans. And man's plans.

[33:10] Collide. God always. A hundred percent. Of the time. Gets his way. And man's plans. Are always. A hundred percent. Of the time. Foiled. And thwarted.

[33:21] From happening. In the last chapters. Of the book of Job. Job was. Was shown. The goodness. Or the greatness. Of God. As he rules. Over his creatures.

[33:32] Were you there. Job. When this happened. Do you know. How this works. And Job. Is just. Staggered. At the end. Of this. Glorious display. Of God's providence.

[33:42] Over his. Created order. His. His universe. And. And what does he. Take away. From that lesson. On God's providence. He says.

[33:53] Psalm. Or Job. 42. To. I know. That you can do. All things. No plan. Of yours. Can be thwarted. That's what he learned. No plan. Of yours.

[34:04] Can be thwarted. Why? Because God. Does. All that he pleases. In the heavens. The earth. The seas.

[34:14] And their depths. He upholds. And controls. Everything. To see that his will. Is done. His decreed will. So that's the Bible's view. Of.

[34:24] Of what's happening. Every day. In the news. Every day. In your life. And in my life. It's God's view. Of history. You've heard. The little thing. And it's. There's. Some of these ditties.

[34:35] Have. More ditty. Than truth. But this one's a good one. History is. His. Story. Okay. There's two S's in it. But it. It holds. All right. History.

[34:46] Is. His. Story. So as we look back. And we see. All that's happened. Since the beginning. Of time. It's. His. Story.

[34:57] From eternity. He penned it. He planned it. And he's been bringing it. To pass. So. So he's the author. Of his story. And nothing happens. On. The stage.

[35:07] Of history. That he's not written. Into the script. From eternity. From all eternity. God decreed. All that should happen. In time.

[35:18] He's the one. Directing history. To its appointed. And predetermined. End. So history. Is not. A car. Without a driver. Behind the wheel. History.

[35:28] Is not a plane. Without a pilot. At the helm. History. Is not some. Endless cyclical. Going round. And round. Forever. No. It's going somewhere. It's going to a. Predetermined.

[35:39] End. And it's going to get there. Because. God is the one. Controlling it. For from him. And through him. And to him.

[35:50] Are all things. To him be the glory. Forever. And ever. Amen. Now that. View of history.

[36:01] Holds for the big story. As well as. Your little story. The big story. Of history. It's all about. God's plan. Of salvation. We use that term.

[36:13] God's plan. Of salvation. God's plan. Of redemption. That's. That's the big. Storyline. That's why. The worlds were made. And. And why everything.

[36:23] Is still being. Upheld. And consisting. Holding together. Because God's got. A big story. That he is. He's working out. About. A holy God. Saving.

[36:35] Sinners. And bringing us. Into fellowship. With himself. Of seeing grace. Conquer sin. Seeing. God. Conquer. Satan.

[36:45] Light. Destroying darkness. Seeing all things. That sin. And Satan. Has. Destroyed. Restored. That's the big. Storyline. And it will all be.

[36:56] By the coming. Of the son of God. Who will come. And will lay down. His life. On the cross. Of Calvary. As a substitute. Sacrifice. In the place. Of all of his people.

[37:09] All that he's chosen. Before the foundation. They will put their trust. In this savior. And enjoy. Eternal life. The plan. It's all there. You see. The big story.

[37:19] It's all about. Christ. Those are just some major points. Of the plan. Every detail.

[37:30] Was planned out. The mother. That Jesus would have. As to his human nature. Where he would be born. The precise time.

[37:41] That he would be. Where he would live. And minister. Where he would die. How he would die. There are thousands. Of additional details. To this big storyline. You see.

[37:52] It's why God worked. With Abraham. And why he started. That little. Clan of people. Of Abraham. And Isaac. And Jacob. And his twelve sons.

[38:03] And why it grew. Into a nation. This was all. To bring forth. The Christ. The centerpiece. Of the great. Storyline. And then his life.

[38:14] And death. And resurrection. And ascending. Into heaven. And his coming again. And establishing. A new heavens. And a new earth. The home. Of righteousness. You see. It was all planned.

[38:26] And aren't you glad. That God didn't leave it up. To chance. To bring to pass. His plan. God didn't just stand back. And say. Now I wonder. How my plan. Is going to succeed. The big picture.

[38:39] Wouldn't have succeeded. Let alone. The thousands. Of details. Along the way. No. It all happened. By providence. He brought.

[38:50] His plan. To pass. Nobody. Nobody. Could frustrate it. Listen to what. Acts 4. 27 and 28. Says. Herod and Pontius Pilate.

[39:00] Met together. With the Gentiles. And the people of Israel. In this city. Jerusalem. To conspire. Against your holy servant. Jesus. Whom you anointed.

[39:10] God. You anointed Jesus. You sent him. Into this world. To be the redeemer. Of men. But. But. But here's all his enemies. Were. Were set out against him.

[39:21] And they included the Romans. And the Jews. And. And the governor. And the king. And the high priests. And the people of Israel. All conspiring. Conspiring against.

[39:32] Your holy. And anointed servant. Jesus. They. That is all these enemies. They did what. Your power. And will. Had decided.

[39:43] Beforehand. Should happen. Well what did they do? They falsely accused him. They betrayed him. Judas. Betrayed him. They. They spit on him. They beat him.

[39:54] They. They condemned him to death. They nailed him to the cross. They buried. This is. This is exactly what happened. But. All that they did. Was exactly. What you decided.

[40:05] Beforehand. Should happen. And so the plan. Was accomplished. Do you know. There are parts of God's plan. That have. Still not happened. They. They're.

[40:15] They're. Still unaccomplished. They're. Waiting. Fulfillment. So. He said. He's coming in judgment. And he's not here yet. Is he? Do you think he'll come? I mean.

[40:25] I mean. That's. That's the plan. Do you think it will happen? He says. He's going to. Once again. Make a separation. Between the righteous. And the wicked. And send the one to hell forever.

[40:36] And the other. Into heaven's happiness. The joy of the Lord forever. Do you suppose it will happen? I mean. It's just the plan. We haven't seen the accomplishment. Of it yet. He said.

[40:47] He's going to make a new heaven. And a new earth. Where. There'll be no more curse. No more sin. No more tears. No more suffering. No more sin. I'll make everything new.

[41:01] You think it'll happen? It's planned. But it's. It's still unfulfilled. Two disciples. Were sent ahead. Into Jerusalem. Remember. To make preparation.

[41:11] For the Lord. To have the last supper. The last Passover. With his disciples. And Jesus told. These two disciples. Go into the city. And a man.

[41:21] Carrying a jar of water. Will meet you. Follow him. And say to the owner. Of the house. That he goes into. The teacher asked. Where's my guest room. Where I may eat the Passover.

[41:32] With my disciples. And he will show you. A large upper room. Furnished and ready. Make preparations. For us there. Now that's a lot of detail.

[41:44] In Jesus plan. You suppose it'll happen. You're going to go into this city. And you're going to meet a man.

[41:55] Not a woman. Who'll be carrying a jar of water. Not a jar of berries. And they will meet you. Follow him. He will meet you. Follow him. Not to a barn. But to the house he enters.

[42:06] And say to the owner. Not a servant. That the teacher asks. Where's my guest room. And he'll show you. Not a room on the main floor. But an upper room. And not a small room. But a large room.

[42:16] And not an empty room. But a furnished and ready room. Make preparations for us there. So you're one of the two disciples. Will it happen? Like he said it would.

[42:29] Scripture goes on to say. The disciples left. Went into the city. And found things. Just as Jesus had told them. Isn't that precious? Found things. Just as Jesus had told them.

[42:41] Brother and sister. That's what you're going to find. One day. But all the. The plans that are yet. To be fulfilled. About Jesus keeping you. Safe to the end.

[42:54] No one snatching you. Out of his hands. About him coming back for you. About you seeing Jesus. Face to face.

[43:04] Being made like him. Having. Him embrace you. And own you. On the day of judgment. As one of his. Before the father. All sorrow.

[43:16] All sorrow. And sadness. Fleeing away. And gladness. And joy. Overtaking you forever. And ever. A new heaven. A new earth. You'll see it. It will all happen. Just as Jesus said it would.

[43:28] Will his plan. Come to fruition. You say. Yes. We know it will. How do we know? Well. Every single plan. Of God's. Comes to fruition. And. It's the providence.

[43:39] Of God. That guarantees it. That there's no way. It can't come to. To pass. Since God. Controls. All things. In his universe.

[43:51] And so that. That great providence. Of God. Holds true. For the great story. Of history. That God. Is working out. But it's also true. Of your history.

[44:02] Every one of you. Your. Your individual histories. David. He's in trouble.

[44:15] I cry out. To God. Most high. To God. Who fulfills. His purpose. For me. What do you do.

[44:27] When you're in trouble. Well you can cry out. To God. Most high. How high is he? He's most high. He's over all his creatures. And all their actions. All the time. He is God.

[44:38] Most high. Who fulfills. His purpose. For little old me. Yes. He's thought of me. You know. He ordained. The number of days.

[44:48] That I will live. Before even one of them. Came to be. His thoughts about me. Are more than the grains. Of sand. He's planned. All my life. And all of its ways. And windings.

[44:59] And. The ending. What. What a. What a God. What a great God. And so he. He brought. The gospel to me.

[45:12] And he brought the gospel to me. Because he chose to save me. From eternity past. And. And I got to hear the gospel. And believe. And so. He brought that gospel to me. And it came in more than word.

[45:23] It came in power. And. Deep conviction. With the Holy Spirit. And. And I cast myself upon the Savior. And he saved me. And he put his spirit in me. And he's kept me. And he's been with me. And he will keep me to the end.

[45:35] It's. It's his glorious plan. Isn't God great? Isn't he big? Isn't. Aren't his ways. Beyond. Finding. Out. I cry out.

[45:46] To God. Most high. To God. Who fulfills his purpose. For me. Well. Somebody might object.

[45:58] And say. You know. That's got a lot of problems. And we'll address some of those. But. Couldn't it be. That God doesn't determine. What happens. He just knows. Ahead of time.

[46:08] What will happen. And that would erase. A lot of problems. That. That God doesn't have to. Do stuff. He. He just knows.

[46:18] What we're going to do. And so he pronounces it. Ahead of time. You get it. See how that just removes the problem altogether. God's not determining anything. He just knows.

[46:29] Ahead of time. What we on our own. Are going to do. And so he. He. He writes it down. And lo and behold. It happens. Just as he said it would. Because he knows. Ahead of time. This is all it is. Just for knowledge.

[46:41] It's a masterful plan. And has one problem. That's not what the Bible says. The Bible says. I planned. And I will bring it.

[46:52] To pass. I purposed. I said it. I decreed it. And I will act. To see it happen. Lord willing.

[47:10] Next week. We'll see. More. Of God's providence. But I just want to end. With one application. The third point.

[47:21] We've seen the definition. The purpose. The application. Of God's providence. There's many things. I just want to close. With the one. That we see here. In Psalm 135. The providence of God.

[47:31] Is something that. Our great God. Should be worshipped. For. Worship. And praise. It's the only fitting. Not the only. It is. The fitting response.

[47:42] For us. As we see. The greatness of God. In his. All. Commanding. Providence. He shows us. How big. He is. How great. He is. To be able to do.

[47:52] Whatever pleases him. In the entirety. Of his universe. And that is to move us. To praise. And worship. The providence of God. Says to us. God is great. And greatly.

[48:04] Therefore. To be praised. So praise the Lord. I didn't count the times. It's probably over 10 to 12. In Psalm 135. This psalm. About the providence of God. Praise him then.

[48:16] It's how it begins. It's how it ends. The greatness of God. In providence. Providence. Means that we are to praise.

[48:26] And worship him. On our worst days. As well as our best days. It was the worst day for Job.

[48:39] One messenger after another. Telling him. You've lost everything you own. And all 10 of your children. You know what Job did?

[48:51] Well how did it happen? They told him. The raiding band of the Sabaeans. And the Chaldeans. Came down. And made off with camels. And sheep. Lightning from heaven. Struck some dead.

[49:02] And whirlwind. Knocked the house over. Where your kids were at. And killed them all. You know what Job's response was? He looked right past. The second causes. Of Sabaeans. Chaldeans.

[49:13] Wind. And lightning. And he went. To the first cause. The unseen. Hand. Of God's providence. And he fell to the ground.

[49:25] And he worshipped. Saying. The Lord. Gave. And the Lord. Has taken. Away. May the name.

[49:36] Of the Lord. Be praised. Praised. God. That's what Psalm 135 says. That's what the providence of God. Screams at us. Praise this Lord.

[49:47] Praise this God. That he is so great. And that he would use that. For. You. That he would use that providence. For you.

[49:57] And bringing such mercy. All theology. Is to lead us to doxology. All we learn about God. Is meant to bring us to God. In wonder. Love. And praise. So let's do that.

[50:10] Let's. Let's take our hymnals. And turn to number 12. It's. It's Psalm 135. It's taken from Psalm 135. And it says. What is our response? It's to exalt the Lord.

[50:21] It's to lift him up. In praise. And worship. So stand with me. And let's. Let's praise the Lord. Lord. That he is a God. Who does. All.

[50:32] That he decrees. A great.

[50:43] God and father. We're here. Because you. Have ordained it. We're here on the earth. But we're here in this room. And. You've brought some. To hear the gospel.

[50:55] Maybe. For the first time. Maybe. For the hundredth time. May they today. Put their trust. In this God. Who's brought his savior. Into the world.

[51:05] To redeem sinners. And for we. Who are the redeemed. Send us forth. With a. A bigger view of you. And make it stick. And continue to stretch.

[51:16] Those views of you. Be glorified then. In the way that we respond. In worship. Love. Praise. Trust. Trust. Obedience. Thanksgiving. We pray in Jesus name.

[51:28] Amen.