The Doctrine Of Providence Practically Improved 

Adapted From A Sermon By

George Burder

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

(Luke 12:7 ESV)

Our text this morning in the sermon by George Burder, is Luke 12:7: Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. And the theme of the sermon is instruction and encouragement from the biblical Doctrine Of Providence.

The belief of a divine providence, exercised towards us in all places and circumstances, especially in times of great danger or uncertainty, is the best antidote possible against the fear of man; and it was for that purpose our blessed Lord spoke these words to his disciples.

In the fourth verse of this chapter it is written, "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him;" and in a parallel passage, (Matthew 10:16) after he had fully informed them of the dangers to which they would be exposed when preaching his gospel, he assures them that his good providence would watch over and defend them; that not only their more vital parts would be taken care of, but that the very hairs of their head being numbered, not one of them all should, without his permission, perish.

By this strong expression, which was perhaps proverbial, the universality of God's providence is fully established; and this is a subject to which we should often return; for on our firm belief of it depend, in a great measure, our prayers, our praises and our consolation. The whole of practical religion stands connected with this doctrine, and from it we may learn many important and valuable lessons. The goals of this sermon are,

I. To prove that the providence of God extends to all human affairs: and;

II. To point out the practical uses we should make of this doctrine.

I. Let us establish, referring to the Scriptures, this great and important truth, that the providence of God is universal; that it extends to all creatures and things throughout the whole world; but, as that concerns us most, especially to all human affairs.

By the providence of God, we mean his preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. He is in every place, looking upon the evil and the good. All the heavenly bodies are sustained and directed by him. In his vast universe, the earth is his peculiar care. The seasons succeed each other in their appointed course; summer and winter, seed-time and harvest, are continued by his goodness. He makes the sun to shine, and the rain to descend, and the earth to produce abundantly for the good of man; indeed, he opens his hand, and supplies the needs of every living thing. In short, nothing is beyond nor beneath his notice.

1. This appears even from the light of nature; it seems necessarily to follow from his being the Creator of the world; for it is reasonable to believe, that he who made all things governs all things. God's "invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature," may be "clearly perceived, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:18-23) The heathen themselves, instead of glorifying him as God, worship the works of their own hands. And we are told that God "did not leave himself without witness," (Acts 14:17) even among those who have no Bible; because he, in his providence, "did good by giving them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying their hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:17)

The existence of God, a Being of infinite power, and wisdom and goodness, leads us to believe that he will take care of his creatures. Not only men, but even wild animals, are tenderly concerned for their young; and can we suppose that the Father of the Universe will neglect his offspring, or that he will forsake the work of his own hands? No; we have to conclude, that, if he has all power, he can, and, if he has all goodness, he will, extend his kind care to the whole creation.

2. But we have clearer light, and fuller proof of this from the Bible, God's own revelation of himself. In that holy book, which we are sure was inspired by him, the providence of God is everywhere asserted; and, indeed, a great part of the Bible is a history of that providence, as it has been exercised from the beginning of the world.

There we read that God is the great Preserver. The Psalmist exclaims, "How precious is your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings. O Lord, you preserve man and beast." (Psalm 36:6 NKJV) And in the book of Nehemiah, the good providence of God is celebrated in these exalted strains: "You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them!" (Nehemiah 9:6)

The predictions of future events, and their fulfillment, of both which the Scriptures provide very many instances, provide us with another proof of the reality of a divine providence; for if God did not govern the world, he could not foretell what would come to pass. God forewarned Noah of the flood 120 years before it came. He foretold the bondage of Israel in Egypt; how long it should last; and how they would be delivered. The captivity of Judah was foretold long before it happened; how many years it would continue; by whom, and by what means the people would be restored and the temple rebuilt. All the circumstances relating to the birth, life, sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ were exactly predicted; and so were the destruction of Jerusalem, and the dreadful miseries of the Jews---all were so exactly foretold, that the predictions appear almost like a history of the events; and demonstrate, beyond all doubt, that God's providence extends to all things.

God, who preserves all creatures, governs them also. He does not commit the management of the world to deputies, as many of the Heathen supposed; for they thought he was too great a Being to trouble himself with the little affairs of mankind; but this notion was by no means honorable to Deity. They judged of the great God by great men, who, from their limited powers, find it impossible to manage many great concerns, and are therefore forced to commit much to inferior officers. But the God with whom we have to do is everywhere present at one and the same time, and sees and knows all men, and all things. Indeed, even the secret thoughts of the heart; and having all wisdom, power, and goodness, can with the utmost ease govern all his creatures and all their actions.

"The Lord reigns." (Psalm 97:1) "He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He looses the bonds of kings and binds a waistcloth on their hips. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty." (Job 12:23, 18-19) He taught Jeremiah, that as easily as a potter alters the form of a lump of clay, he can alter the state of a nation; either to pull down and destroy it, if wicked, or to build and plant, and cause it to prosper when it repentss. (Jeremiah 18:1-10) The king of Babylon learned this lesson by painful experience: he was taught "that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will." (Daniel 4:17)

And if God thus governs the nations of the earth, he will surely exercise his special providence in the church; for of that he says, "This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it." (Psalm 132:14) "All things were created through Christ and for Christ;" (Colossians 1:16) and the earth was formed chiefly to become the theater on which the great affairs of human redemption were to be transacted; and when these are all accomplished, the earth itself will be burnt up and demolished. Jesus Christ is "King in Zion," (Psalm 2:6) and "head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:23)

The providence of God is to be acknowledged in the affairs of families; it is he who forms them: "God settles the solitary in a home;" (Psalm 68:6) he sets the poor on high after affliction (as he did Job) and "makes their families like flocks;" (Psalm 107:41) in other cases he reduces them, and removes one after another to the grave, or "they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow." (Psalm 107:39) In these changes let the hand of God be acknowledged.

Nor are individuals beneath his notice, as the text plainly implies; not even the least of their concerns, for "even the hairs of their head are all numbered;" (Matthew 10:30) consequently all their more important concerns. Thus prayed pious Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel---"The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world." (1 Samuel 2:6-8) Thus also spoke God, by his servant Daniel, to the impious king Belshazzar---"the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored." (Daniel 5:23) Let us then remember our entire dependence on divine providence for life, and breath, and all things, and say with Job---"Our days are determined, and the number of our months is with him, and he has appointed our limits that we cannot pass." (Job 14:5)

And as to good men, to believers in Jesus, we know that they are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Corinthians 6:16) His providence is so concerned about them and all their affairs, that all their ways are "established by the Lord:" (Psalm 37:23) he has promised to "counsel them with his eye upon them," (Psalm 32:8) and whatever may befall them, to make "all things work together for good." (Romans 8:28)

Even as to those events which we call contingent or accidental, even they are under the direction and control of the Almighty. What can seem to be more casual than a lot? but the lot itself falls according to the divine appointment; so Solomon tells us---"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." (Proverbs 16:33) On this account, good men have had recourse to a lot when unable, by human prudence, to make a proper decision; and thus an apostle was chosen in the place of Judas. Great events often turn upon a very small pivot. A sudden thought in a man's heart, a single sentence from a man's lips, may lead to immense good, or to incalculable evil, as the history of the world abundantly shows.

This providence of God, the existence of which we have clearly proved, is sovereign, wise, mysterious and good.

It is sovereign and uncontrollable---Who has resisted, "who can resist, his will?" (Romans 9:19) That will is accomplished among "the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand," (Daniel 4:35) none can prevent the execution of his purpose.

It is wise---his work is perfect---all his ways are judgment. He cannot err: He cannot be deceived or mistaken; He is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works;---yet, sometimes

It is mysterious---"clouds and thick darkness are all around him;" (Psalm 97:2) "his way is through the sea, his path through the great waters;" (Psalms 77:19) we cannot trace his path; his proceedings may sometimes puzzle and perplex us. The righteous are afflicted, oppressed, persecuted; while the wicked prosper, flourish, and have more than heart can wish. We may not be able to account for these things; but we are sure that his providence is

Always good. "Truly, God is good to Israel." (Psalm 73:1) "His eyes," directing all human affairs, "run to and fro throughout the whole earth" and for what purpose? "To give strong support" (2 Chronicles 16:9) to those who fear and love his name. Yes, assuredly; for "all things work together for the good" of his people." (Romans 8:28)

II. We now move on to the second part of the subject; namely, to point out the practical uses we ought to make of the doctrine of providence.

This doctrine is, in truth, connected with the whole of practical religion. Take away providence, and you destroy the whole system of godliness, and leave no room for prayer nor praise. Christians, therefore, should be well established in the belief of this truth, and be able to say with the Psalmist, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges (or governs) on earth" (Psalm 58:11)---Persuaded, then, of this truth,

1. Let us stand in awe of the great Ruler of the world. Do his eyes see all things? his eye-lids try the children of men? Is he in every place, beholding the evil and the good? Are our breath and all our ways in his hand? Who, then, will not fear him? Who will not tremble at his presence? Is the wrath of a king like the roaring of a lion?---surely, then, the King of kings is above all to be feared. Do many seek the Ruler's favor? And shall we not esteem his favor the greatest of all benefits, and his steadfast love to be better than life? Let us then seek him with our whole heart, and be at peace with him, through faith in Jesus Christ; then we may be sure that our heavenly Father, who does his own holy will among the armies of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, will so order all our concerns, that they will promote his glory and our eternal welfare.

2. Let us rejoice that the reins of universal government are in the hands of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord; of him who is our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Brother, and our Friend.

When his coming into the world was predicted, long before that period, the Prophet calls upon the heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields, the woods, to rejoice and be glad, (Psalm 96:11) for, says he, "he comes, he comes to judge (that is, to govern) the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness." (Psalm 96:13) This has been accomplished. He came, he taught, he died, he rose, he ascended into heaven, and took his seat at the right hand of God.

"All authority (he said) in heaven and on earth has been given to me;" (Matthew 28:18) and all this power is exercised for the good of the Church. "All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours;" (1 Corinthians 3:22) and yours because you belong to Christ, who is "Head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:23) Surely, then, the Christian ought to rejoice "that the Lord reigns." (Psalm 97:1)

3. The doctrine of providence shows the appropriateness and utility of prayer; it provides the strongest motive, and the best encouragement to that duty. Were there no providence, who would pray? Or to what purpose would anyone pray? Nor does the appointment of God make prayer needless or useless, as some have pretended. If all things are previously appointed of God, they say, of what use is prayer? The answer is: That he who has appointed the end, has also appointed the means, of which prayer is the most prominent. So David wisely argued, when he prayed thus, "You, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, I will build you a house"---he then adds, "therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you." (2 Samuel 7:27)

Let us imitate his example and turn the promises of God into prayers: such prayers will surely be effective. He who says in our text, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered," himself directs us to say, "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11)

4. The doctrine of providence shows the appropriateness of offering to God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Does "every good gift and every perfect gift come down from the Father of lights?" (James 1:17) Surely, then, the sacrifice of praise is a reasonable service. "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits?" (Psalm 116:12) is a reasonable inquiry; and "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! and let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing." (Psalms 107:15, 22)

5. The doctrine of providence shows the appropriateness of submission to the will of God. Does the Lord rule? Submit then to his government. "He is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works." (Psalm 145:17) He cannot err. He does all things well. What, if severe afflictions befalls you? Say, as Eli, when both his sons were to be cut off for their transgression; "It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him!" (1 Samuel 3:18)---and as David, when, in the depth of his affliction, Shimei basely cursed him; "Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to!" (2 Samuel 16:11)---and as Job, when bereft of his property and his family: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Job 1:21) Indeed, say with our holy Redeemer, when enduring the unspeakable agonies of the garden: "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)

We are ignorant and shortsighted creatures; we cannot understand nor comprehend the plan nor the reasons of the divine government. Solomon says, "No one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV)---It is but a small part of his work of providence that we behold; not the beginning, nor the end: let us, therefore, "not pronounce judgment before the time;" (1 Corinthians 4:4) but believe assuredly that "he has done all things well;" (Mark 7:37) and that what we do not understand now, we will understand in the future. (John 13:7)

Rely on the doctrine of divine providence, as a remedy against anxiety. Thus, our Lord refers to it when he cautions his disciples against anxious cares about the future: "Look at the birds of the air, and consider the lilies of the field;" (Matthew 6:26, 28) providence provides for the support of the former, and clothes the latter with splendid beauty; why should you care, who are far superior to them and especially when you recollect, that the God of providence is your Father; that he well knows your necessities; and that, if you seek him and his kingdom, all these things will be given you in addition. Has he not said, "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing?" (Psalm 34:10)---and again, "Those who fear him have no lack?" (Psalm 34:9)---Yes: let the pious poor especially, remember this for their comfort, That "godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come!" (1 Timothy 4:8)

7. Finally. Let this subject lead our minds forward towards the future and eternal world. In the conduct of divine providence, we meet with many mysterious events. The wicked greatly prosper---while the righteous are deeply afflicted. Useful men are often cut off in their youth; while many hurtful sinners grow old in rebellion. The pious are persecuted, and their oppressors flourish. Be it so and let it appear to be mysterious: yet, this is no detraction to the wisdom, justice, and goodness of God.

The wicked prosper; but it is only as the beasts in a good pasture, fattening for slaughter. The righteous suffer; but it is only the discipline of that school, in which they are training up for glory. Heaven will explain all, and make amends for all; and then shall the whole Church of God, redeemed and glorified, with one accord exclaim---"He has done all things well!" (Mark 7:37)