Westminster Project 5.1

God the great Creator of all things upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his certain foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. 
(WCF 5.1)

Over the last few months, we have been exploring the Westminster Confession of Faith together. We began with the foundations—first with Holy Scripture (WCF 1), then with God and the Holy Trinity (WCF 2). Next, we moved to the decrees of God, examining God’s eternal decree (WCF 3) and then creation (WCF 4). 

This week, we continue with the decrees of God in chapter five of the Confession, focusing now on God’s role—not in its foundational sense—but in His continual providential care of all things. Here are three reasons why this should bring us untold joy.

First, we can rejoice because we all matter. We’ve noted that God, the creator of all things seen and unseen, sustains everything—from the greatest to the least (Hebrews 1:3). As we have seen in previous weeks, God spoke, and things happened. But that’s not to say He spoke and then simply let things unfold like a watchmaker winding a clock and letting it tick on its own. No—He spoke, and He remains intimately involved with His creation at this very moment. How, you might wonder? 

Well, He “upholds, directs, disposes, and governs” His creation.
This is incredible to consider because God is not some puppet master pulling strings, forcing His creatures to do His will (WCF 3.1–2), nor is He aloof and unaware of “all creatures” (WCF 3.7–8). It’s a delicate balance to maintain. Any reader of the Bible sees that God is sovereign over all things (Daniel 4), and this sovereignty inspired awe in biblical writers (Job 38–41, Psalm 135:6). In fact, it was the starting point for Paul’s sermon in Athens, where he preached to skeptics that God providentially governs all things for all people (Acts 17:25–28). This is not something to fear or resent—it’s truly amazing to know. In this vast universe, we are not alone; far from it. God is deeply involved with His creation and cares about even the smallest details—no creature slips by unnoticed, no matter how insignificant (Matthew 10:29–31).

Second, we can rejoice in God’s providential care because He is good (James 1:17). There is no shadow of turning with our Creator. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We should take comfort in this, because if we are directed in all things “by His most wise and holy providence,” it means we are held securely in good hands (Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 104:24; 145:17). He works everything out in harmony with His good nature, or as the Confession puts it, according to His “immutable counsel of His own will” (Acts 15:18, Psalm 94:8–11; cf. Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 33:11).

Third, we can rejoice because God’s glory will be made known. He is working everything out “to the praise of the glory of His wisdom” (Ephesians 3:10). Why does this matter? God is holy, awesome, wonderful, and so much more. We have an amazing Creator who desires His creatures to know Him “on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). As God governs all things by His providence, His “power, justice, goodness, and mercy” are revealed. We would do well to meditate on these truths and wholeheartedly agree with John the Baptist’s words: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, CSB).