God's Sovereign Providence And Fallen Tree Limbs

 Typically, I reserve my photography for my photoblog Seeing Through a New Lens; however, today I uploaded these photographs in my pastor's blog to teach a valuable theological lesson.

The last storm partially broke a large tree limb from 25 feet atop the propane tank at the rear of the parsonage. The connection of the limb to the tree held the heavy limb by threads of wood. Eventually, the limb would fall and the entirety of the weight of the limb might hit the propane tank. This spelled disaster in my mind.

So, I took a handsaw out to cut some of the smaller branches from the limb close to the ground. The first branch to cut, of course, is the branch atop the propane tank. I paid little attention to where I was standing. Also, I gave little thought to what might happen when I cut the branch from the limb.

I sawed through the branch and heard a thunderous snap from above me. A branch scratched my ribs and my left wrist as the massive limb and its branches crashed to the ground all around me. 

After the ordeal, I gathered myself and noticed that I stood in an island of grass completely surrounded by a large tree limb. I had survived without serious injury. Some might say that I was lucky. Perhaps others would even spiritualize that thought and call it a miracle or providence.

Yet God's sovereignty over every aspect of His creation in His providence is not to be held as a replacement word for "luck." We must not simply give credit to God for good fortune when events go our way. God controls each rain drop. God sustains even sparrows in the deepest woods which no human eye will ever gaze upon. God's providence is not limited to certain events or people. God's providence is His continued involvement with all of His creation.

The answer to question 11 in the Westminster Shorter Catechism states, "God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions." God has control over all His creation, including falling tree limbs and my position on the ground.

God's protection was granted to me by grace. I prayed for His protection before I began the work. I did not pray in a cliche manner of protection, but with full understanding by God's Word that He is in control of all things. This is a good work of God. I would even suggest this is extraordinary that God protected me. Yet, let this event serve to us a reminder: God's providence over all things is not simply in this event or that action, but in all things to fulfill His purposes. I cannot plan out my day or a trip with full guarantee that I will succeed with my life (James 4:13-16). I pray to God knowing that each event throughout history is in His hands leading to fulfill His divine purposes. I say, "if the Lord wills, I will survive the day." Our faith unlocks understanding the truth that God provides and sustains all things, even the sparrows, directing each step throughout history to fulfill His purposes. Such a worldview is important. Your life is a vapor, but the Lord's sovereign providence in all things for His glory directs all things for His good pleasure.

What Does God Know?

Ask this question, "What does God know?", in Sunday School and you will receive a Sunday School answer: everything. Have you given much thought to what is included in the "everything" God knows? David writes in the 139th Psalm:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
   you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
   behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
   and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
   it is high; I cannot attain it.    
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
   Or where shall I flee from your presence?

God is closer to you than any other possible relationship. There are thoughts and activities you can hide even from your closest friend or your spouse! God knows every thought, every motive, and every action we take. We cannot attain such incredible knowledge, it is "too wonderful for me." God sees our wickedness. God sees how ugly we think of others, our true motives for doing any given task, and sinful deeds we commit in the dark.

There is good news. Grace is given by God that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-11). Although God knows everything you say, think, or do, even though God knows the massive amount of sin and your inability to atone for such wickedness, God's grace is that He sent His Son to make our payment and give us perfect righteousness instead.

A question for you, dear reader: do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? We hear our Savior preach how "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6). Do you truly desire all sin and evil to make a hurried exit from your thoughts and your feelings? Then, pray with David at the end of this Psalm:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
   Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting! 

This is a dangerous prayer! Oh, the trembling our flesh might experience if such prayer is answered! This is not a prayer for God to search you for something He is unaware of, for God knows everything. Beloved, this is a prayer for God to search you and find sin in places you have tried to hide it. This is a prayer for God to reveal sin you have given no thought to. This is a prayer to publish what you have tried to hide in private, either by will or by ignorance.

God's all-knowing attribute provides terror, not comfort, to those trying to make it on their own. Perhaps the very thought of an all-powerful deity gives nothing but dread and lament to some. Following Jesus from such a distance as to attend church services and scantily read their Bible, some might say, makes up for what is said in secret and done in nobody's presence. Be warned, God is an all-knowing God. Without the merit of Christ which produces the fruits of faithfulness, you stand in judgment on your own goodness. God sees all thoughts, all actions, and all words.

If the desire for your heart is being led in the way everlasting, the way of Christ-likeness, then your heart rejoices in God's examination and granting repentance. Confess your guilt and God is faithful to forgive you (I John 1:9). This is not a one-time confession, but a life of continual confession and utter dependence upon our sovereign, all-knowing God. Hiding sin or trading sins for other sins which are hidden more easily will not disguise your guilt before our all-knowing God. Acknowledge your guilt, pray for God to make public what sins are in private, and repent by the power of God.