“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10.30.)
Introduction. My mind has been much directed to this subject because of the accident that occurred at Halifax, where I preached on Wednesday. Had the gallery collapsed a little sooner than it did, many more had fallen, and there might have been a panic such as we had in this place once. Instead of two thousand persons falling, only two persons were hurt. And their bones, we trust, will mend. And had the snow not melted through the roof and onto us during the service, the whole structure had fallen sooner than it did, killing us by thousands. If we are to avoid all atheism, we will learn to see God in creation, grace, and providence. Participants in this event I just mentioned will hardly deny Providence, but generally, Providence is denied very much, more than creation and grace.
(1) The Minuteness of Providence. Every man can see the hand of God in the avalanche, the whirlwind, the earthquake, pestilence, war, etc. But Providence must involve the microcosm just as much. We must believe all chance or else all God. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Study the particulars in the life of Joseph and you will encounter Providence, not accident. Take away any link in the story, and the whole thing falls apart. And be diligent to give attention to the timings in the circumstances, and Providence will show itself still more. You may see this in other lives than Joseph’s, of course. God is in every detail. In the life of Mohammed just a sparrow turned the course of a whole empire. God has appointed every movement, even the winging of a bat. Yet this is not fate, for unlike fate, Providence has eyes and reason, and is designed to hit a target. Even every thought, even those thoughts that are born only to die, are under the hand of God, and therefore every idle word too. God has ordered everything that comes to pass. He who wings an angel guides a sparrow.
(2) God’s Kind Consideration in Providence. What mother has counted the hairs on her infant’s head? But God has! And every believer has a half-miracle to tell about: how he was preserved by God up until the day of his conversion. And then God preserves us from sinning by timing our temptations, doesn’t he? And he guides us into our careers, very noticeably in my case. And are you poor? Then you know more about Providence than the rest of us.
(3) Our Response in Light of Providence. We who see order in every wave, music in every breath of wind, we can be calm and bold (but not presumptuous.) And if one of us is plucked away, even in some frightening Providence, then it is as if the Gardener just plucked one of his roses, that’s all. Our graves are not filled by accident! This doctrine, if believed, ought to keep us on the level. That is the happiest state of mind. If good things come, thank God; but do not set your heart upon them; if good things go, thank God that he has taken them, and still bless his name. Not only will you be delivered from much anxiety by a full belief in Providence, but in this quieter temper you will experience higher exercises of communion with Christ.
Selection from Conclusion. “But as for you who fear not God, remember, the stones of the field are in league against you; the heavens cry to the earth and the earth answereth to the heavens, for vengeance upon you on account of your sins. For you there is nothing good, every thing is in rebellion against you. Oh that God might bring you into peace with him, and then you would be at rest with all beside. ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ The Lord bless you in this, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”
