Faithful on Fridays Blog

Bible-believing Christians generally agree, as Michelangelo depicted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, that God is the Creator as the Apostles Creed declared right from the start.

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

The Scriptures are clear that He created everything, earth for mankind and mankind for Himself: we are His image-bearers (Gen. 1:27) designed to enjoy God and His creation.

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. Col. 1:16

God not only created the universe for our enjoyment but He also keeps it going.

… He upholds the universe by the word of His power. Heb. 1:3b

The meaning of ‘upholds’ is that God is in control, not controlling as a puppet master but moving us along with purpose. God’s sovereignty brings a believer comfort and security: “It’s going to be OK; I’ve got this.”

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Col. 1:17

God’s not just sitting in heaven watching time and events play out without any interaction with His creation but He is actively carrying us along to our destiny.

Yes, He has absolute sovereignty but He’s also committed to His image-bearers. He gives us choices and cooperates, so to speak, with mankind. Man’s choices are real but believers recognize the cohesion we have with our Maker. To cohere means hold together in a mass that resists separation, like Superglue. We want what God wants because we don’t want our perspectives different from God’s.

Predestination plays a big part here. Paul writes that believers were predestined:

… in love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. Eph. 1:5

… having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Eph. 1:11b

Those truths instill thankfulness and gratitude in my spirit knowing He deliberately aligned time and circumstances specifically for me. God arranged the physical world for His masterpiece, us, so we might partake of His benefits. He’s personal, not random, and loves us enough to determine a destiny for each one.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Ps. 139:16

Pro video is Latin for providence (to see before) which means that God foresaw our circumstances and choices then aligned us with His ultimate plan for our lives. The word provide means that He takes care, reserves, and stores blessings for us. Abraham understood this aspect of God and declared His name: Yahweh Yireh, God will provide (Gen. 22:8). Rest in that truth this week, no matter what your life circumstances look like: Everything’s gonna be OK.