The Providence of God
Habakkuk 2:1-4
Scripture Reading:
#1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations (Psalm 89:1).
#2 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Prayer of Praise: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.
Hymn: To God Be The Glory
1 To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
so loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
2 O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
to ev'ry believer the promise of God;
the vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives. [Refrain]
3 Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
but purer, and higher, and greater will be
our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
Reading of the Law: You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matt 5:21-24).
Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: I, a poor sinner, acknowledge before you, my God and Creator, that I have terribly and in many ways sinned against you, not only outwardly, but much more with inward blindness, unbelief, doubts, despondency, impatience, pride, covetousness, envy, hatred, malice, and other sinful affections, as you, my Lord and God, know well, and I cannot deeply enough deplore. But I repent of these things, and am sorry for them, and heartily ask you for mercy, for the sake of your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen
Reading of the Gospel: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism - Questions 41-45
Question #41
Q. Why was our Mediator called Jesus?
A. Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins.
Matt. 1:21.
Question #42
Q. Why was our Mediator called Christ?
A. Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of his Church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.
John 3:34; Ps. 45:7; John 6:27; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 3:21-22; Luke 4:18, 21; Heb. 5:5-7; Heb. 4:14-15; Ps. 2:6; Matt. 21:5; Isa. 9:6-7; Phil. 2:8-11.
Question #43
Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the Church in all ages, by his Spirit and Word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.
John 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Heb. 1:1-2; John 15:15; Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:11-13; John 20:31.
Question #44
Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.
Heb. 9:14, 28; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 7:25.
Question #45
Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory and their good: and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.
Acts 15:14-16; Isa. 55:4-5; Gen 49:10; Ps. 110:3; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 12:28; Isa. 33:22; Matt. 18:17-18;1 Cor. 5:4-5; Acts 5:31; Rev. 22:12; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 3:19; Isa. 63:9; 1 Cor. 15:25; Ps. 110:1-7; Rom. 14:10-11;Rom. 8:28; 2 Thess. 1:8-9; Ps. 2:8-9.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank God that he rules over all his creation and his steadfast love that lasts forever.
Prayer of Supplication Supplication: Ask God to cause you to walk in his ways and for comfort for those who are afflicted.
Bible reading and commentary: Habakkuk 2:1-4
In verse 1, Habakkuk uses the imagery of a guard on duty to watch for a messenger to describe his waiting for the message of God.
When we are troubled and are having doubts about God’s methods of Providence, we must watch against temptations to be impatient. When we have poured out our grievances and requests before God, we must observe the answers God gives by his Word, his Spirit, and his providences. We are to be quietly waiting to see what the Lord will say to our particular affliction. God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say to them. We are all concerned in the truths of God's Word. Although the promised answer may be long in coming, it will come at last, and God will abundantly reward us for waiting. The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain assurance in salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, where salvation is given to us. Therefore, he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God's all-sufficiency will not walk humbly with him to their destruction. The just shall live by faith in these precious promises, although the fulfilling of the promises might seem delayed. Only those justified by faith, shall live, and be content here and forever.
The phrase “the righteous shall live by faith” is repeated in Romans 1:17 and Hebrews 10:38. This is a call for God’s people to live by faith. This call to trusting faith is an important notice to all believers in all ages of the path by which we may know and embrace the grace of God that is ultimately revealed in Christ. This is not a path of blind faith but a deep-rooted trust in the eternal, providential, ever-present God. Salvation is not by our works but the perfect work of Christ for us. Trusting in that truth is living by faith. Not only in salvation, but in all that we do, our strength comes from Christ and we are united to him by faith. Trusting in ourselves for salvation or anything else is prideful and will accomplish nothing because apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Closing Hymn: The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Amen.
Closing Scripture: Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor. 13:11-14).
The Lord’s Prayer (together):
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.