GOD’S PROVIDENCE: PRESERVING AND GUIDING HIS CREATION, PART 2.

As for the Providence of God as government , Erickson says “By the government of God we mean His activity in the Universe so that all its events fulfill His plan for it.”1 God is seen controlling nature in such events as was the case with Elijah, an Old Testament prophet, who told Ahab at the leading of God, that it would not rain except by the word of God, and it did not rain for three and a half years ( 1 Kings 17-18). In the New Testament, Jesus is shown having power over nature when during a severe storm, He spoke: ‘ Quiet! Be still!” And the storm ceased and there was great calm! (Mark 4: 39).

God is also shown directing and guiding the animal creation. For example, in 1 Kings 17: 4 again God tells Elijah that He will provide for him during the coming drought: “You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” And in verse 6, it shows that the ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and in the evening.

God’s government also involves human history and destiny of the nations. In Daniel 2: 21 it says: “He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them.” This Scripture shows how true it was for then as it is for today! In Daniel 4: 24-25, King Nebuchadnezzar is told by Daniel, speaking by the Holy Spirit, that he would become like a madman living amongst the beasts for seven years till he knew that God rules! We have seen just within the last 5 years, the pandemic through Covid19. It caused commotion throughout the whole world that no one was expecting. All the world went into havoc because of it, but God has had the ultimate say in His own time. We have to know that He is the One who rules!

God is also sovereign provider in the circumstances of the lives of individual persons. For example, Hannah, who had been barren prays to the Lord promising her first-born to His service. The Lord answers her with a son, Samuel, whom she gives to God’s service, and who becomes a great prophet. She expresses her praise to the Lord for answered prayer the following way: “The Lord brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles, and He exalts.” (1 Samuel 2:6-7). Mary, mother of Jesus. also glorified God, at being God’s chosen vessel in the following way: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” ( Luke 1:52).

NOTES

1Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology,(Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006),420.

LI KOLB’AL RIK’IN LI JESUKRISTO!

Naq yoo chi k’iik li resilal li kristiaanil, li k’ab’a’ej ‘Jesus’ kinawman ru jo’ ‘Yahweh a’an li Kolb’a-ib’’. Chalen chaq li na’leb’ sa’ li Najter Chaq’rab’ chirix li Qaawa’, aj Tojol rix, aj Kolol qe, li Dios, eb’ li na’leb’ a’in ke’q’axtesiik re li Jesus ut chan ru naq eb’ li kristiaan ke’xpaab’ a’an. 1 Relik chi yaal, moqon chik, naqil anajwan li Jesus jo’ aj Kolol ut aj Tojol qix chiru li maak ut li musiq’ejil aak’ab’, li kihoy kik’ chiru li krus re xtojb’al rix li qamaak, wi nokopaab’an! Ut naq ka’ajwi’ a’an li b’e toj sa’ li Dios! Toja’ naq a’an laj Kolol qe!

Anajwan na’ajman ru naq taawanq jun li numsihom re yo’laak wi’chik re naq taawanq qawanjik rik’in A’an! Sa’ Jwan 3:3,16 naxye: “ ‘Li Jesus kixsume ut kixye re, ‘Relik chi yaal ninye aawe, wi ink’a’ taayo’laaq wi’chik, ink’a’ naru chirilb’al li xnimajwal awab’ejihom li Dios’….’Xb’aan naq li Dios k’a’jo’ naq kixra li ruchich’och’ jo’kan naq kixk’e li Ralal jun chirib’il, re naq yalaq ani taapaab’anq re ink’a’ taasachq chi yo’yo rik’in laj Jwan1. 25-26 naxye: “ Li Jesus kixye re: “Laa’in li wakliik chi yo’yo ut li yu’am. Li taapaab’anq we, us ta taakamq, taawanq xyu’am, ut li ani yo’yo ut nikinpaab’, maajun wa taakamq. Ma nakaapaab’ a’in?”

Jo’kan naq tento taqapaab’ ut taqajal qak’a’uxl chirixeb’ li qamaak re naq anajwan taawanq qawanjik rik’in li Dios li ka’ajwi’ nachal rik’in jun li numsihom re yo’laak wi’chik rik’in li Jesus aj Kolol qe ut Qaawa’! “Lix tiklajik li yu’am aj Kristiano naraj xk’eeb’al reetal lix maak li junjunq ut xk’eeb’al xch’ool chixkanab’ankil li yu’am li naxk’oxla rib’ xjunes.”2.

NOTA

1Laj Sinclair B. Ferguson, laj David F. Wright ut laj J.I. Packer, eb’ laj k’uub’anel, Ak’il hu re li paab’aal, (Downers Grove: Xmolamil li nimla tzoleb’aal, 1988), 610.
2Millard J. Erickson, Teología kristiaan, (Grand Rapids: Xtzolb’al li Baker, 2006),959.

YE LI TIJ A’IN RE TAATYO’LAQ WI’CHIK:
“Jesus ninpaab’ naq xatkam chiru krus, .
xhoybʼal Laa kikʼel re xkuybʼal lin maak ;
Ut kiwakli wi’chik sa’ rox li kutan!
La̱in ninnau nak la̱in aj ma̱c. B’aanu usilal, chakuy inmaak;
B’aanu usilal, ok sa’ li waam!
Chalqex ut wanqex choq’ aj Kolol we ut Qaawa’ re lin yu’am!
B’antiox aawe Jesus”