God's Hidden Wings

Richard Dawkins, one of the famed "New Atheists", paints a picture of what the world looks like without God's providence from River out of Eden:
"Such a universe would be neither good or bad in intention. It would manifest no intentions of any kind. In a universe of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won't find any rhyme or reason in it, or any justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the properties that we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, but blind, pitiless indifference."
By way of contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ is an announcement of God's sovereignty over our lives. Every little detail is due to his care and attention, including the good and the bad. Herman Bavinck, the Dutch theologian, reminds us of the reality of God's providence is meant to be a deep comfort:
"It is above all by faith in Christ that believers are enabled—in spite of all the riddles that perplex them—to cling to the conviction that the God who rules the world is the same loving and compassionate Father who in Christ forgave them all their sins, accepted them as His children, and will bequeath to them eternal blessedness.
In that case faith in God’s providence is no illusion, but secure and certain; it rests on the revelation of God in Christ and carries within it the conviction that nature is subordinate and serviceable to grace, and the world is likewise subject to the kingdom of God.
Thus, through all its tears and suffering, it looks forward with joy to the future. Although the riddles are not resolved, faith in God’s fatherly hand always again arises from the depths and even enables us to boast in afflictions.”
In all circumstances of life, [God's providence] gives us good confidence in our faithful God and Father that he will provide whatever we need for body and soul and that he will turn to our good whatever adversity he sends us in this sad world, since he is able to do this as almighty God and desires to do this as a faithful Father."
~Found in Reformed Dogmatics Vol. 2, p. 595, 619
I'll leave you with the picture of providence from the gospel: Jesus clung fast in love to His Father was delivered through resurrection. This is our hope, according to Psalm 91:14-16
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
May you find rest in the shadow of God's wings!
You can find this week's study notes here: http://www.hopechurch.us/resources/sermons/gods-hidden-wings/