Jesus isn't just a crutch to help with some of your guilt, rather He cleanses you from ALL of your sins. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 30 Q. Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only savior Jesus? A. No. Although they boast of being his, by their deeds they deny the only savior and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation. Summary Details matter, take for example how a comma ended up costing the U.S. government millions of dollars. Back when the 1872 tariffs act was passed, tariffs made up a considerable amount of the government’s income. In this act, congress specified items that were exempt from these tariffs. Included in this list of exemptions was fruit-plants…..at least that was the intention. Instead of listing “fruit-plants” as an exemption, what was mistakenly put into the final draft was “fruit, plants”. That mistaken swap of punctuation was costly as various fruits had previously carried 10-20% tariffs. It is estimated that the government lost around $2 million dollars from this mistake, which when you consider inflation would equate to around $40 million today. Details matter, not just in official government matters but also when we read the Word of God. The presence or absence of a single word can have a significant effect on the meaning of a passage. We see that with 1 John 1:5-7. Amongst this well-known description of God as light and how we are to walk in the light, there is also the phrase “the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from all sin." The word “all” matters a great deal. It is one thing to say that Jesus cleanses us from sin, and another entirely to proclaim that Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Dig Deeper You may have heard the idiom, “in this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes”. There is at least one more thing that you can add to this list: people sin. To say that you are without sin is to deceive yourself. Your debt of sin grows each day. In the face of this mounting debt of sin, Jesus is the only source of relief. The catechism reminds us that if you have faith in Jesus, you have all you need for salvation. Not only is the blood of Christ enough to wash you clean of sin, it is enough to cleanse you from all sin. There is no distinction between sins, as if some sins are unpardonable while others are not even worthy of forgiveness. Jesus cleanses you from all sins; not just the sins of your past, but even the sins you have yet to commit! When you sin, you do not need to wonder if that sin was one too far, as if that might be the sin that is too much for Jesus to forgive. The word all from today’s passage is significant for it encapsulates the totality of the grace of Jesus. Jesus did not face the cross so that you could be partially forgiven, but so that you could be fully forgiven and washed clean from sin. Guilt is real and can be debilitating when allowed to take root, but in Jesus you do not need to be enslaved to the guilt of your past. Accept the grace of Jesus, forgive yourself in the same way that Christ has forgiven you, and do your best to live a life full of gratitude for what Jesus has done for you. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Father God, you are light, and in you there is no darkness at all. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength and courage to walk in the light as He is in the light. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 10

There's only One who can unite our polarized world: Jesus Christ Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 30 Q. Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only savior Jesus? A. No. Although they boast of being his, by their deeds they deny the only savior and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation. Summary In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul raises the issue of disunity and conflict amongst the believers in Corinth. In this letter Paul also addresses concerns over other issues including lawsuits amongst believers, mistreatment of the poor at the Lord’s table, boasting about spiritual gifts, and the strained relationship between the so-called 'strong' and 'weak.' Each of these areas that Paul addresses highlight the dissention within the church. A lack of unity causes or at minimum contributes to a whole host of issues. Singled out as a sign of their disunity was the Corinthians divided allegiance. Some claimed to follow Christ, or Cephas (Peter), and others Christ. When Paul came to Corinth and preached the Gospel, he was not looking for followers of himself, but desired for the people to come to faith in and become followers of Jesus. It is rightly pointed out that Paul was not crucified on their behalf, nor were they baptized in the name of Paul. It is Jesus who was crucified on their behalf, and in Jesus’ name that they were baptized. Instead of creating divisions by aligning with one of various teachers of the day, Paul hopes to see the Corinthian church united in their devotion to Christ. Dig Deeper The church in Corinth is not the only example of believers straying in devotion to Jesus and leaning into an allegiance to someone or something else. In Q&A 30, the Heidelberg Catechism directly mentions the examples of looking for salvation in saints, oneself, or elsewhere. While there are probably not a lot of protestants looking for salvation in the saints, there is still the possibility of repeating the same shortcomings as the Corinthians. Just as Peter and Paul were the well-known teachers of their day, a similar celebrity exists today around certain popular biblical teachers. There is nothing wrong with being fond of the teachings of Francis Chan, Craig Groeschel, or R.C. Sproul. Where issues can arise is when you forget that they are only human and not above critique. When I was a senior in high school Rob Bell was at the height of his popularity. His NOOMA videos were particularly popular and some nights after work a few coworkers and I would watch his lessons at the house of a friend who owned the DVDs. Eventually Rob Bell had a fall from grace when he started publishing works that had, at best, questionable theology. So, what do you do when a biblical teacher starts saying things that disagree with the Word of God? You trust the Word of God, every time. Our faith is in Jesus Christ and in no one or nothing else. Rob Bell is not the only well-known biblical teacher to let people down. Just in recent years Bill Hybels stepped down from Willow Creek following allegations of sexual misconduct and Mark Driscoll resigned after fostering a 'fear based' environment that led to the dissolution of the Mars Hill church. What the fall of these well-known individuals highlights is how no teacher today is infallible. Your allegiance should not rest upon a particular church, pastor, or likewise; as Christians our allegiance is to Christ, and Christ alone. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our undivided Savior; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that even though our society is riddled with division that Christians will remain undivided on the truths of God's Word. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 10

Be strengthened in the name of Christ, the one & only source of salvation. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 29 Q. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “Savior”? A. Because he saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere. Summary Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Disciples ventured out into the streets of Jerusalem actively preaching and healing in the name of Jesus. After healing a crippled man unable to walk since birth, Peter shared that this man was healed by the name of Jesus. This was followed by a declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, which included a critique of the Jewish rulers. These same rulers had charge of the temple and played a role in pressuring Pilate to execute Jesus. Word of this made it to the captain of the temple, who had the disciples arrested. After being held in custody overnight, they were then brought before a group of leaders from the Jewish religious council known as the Sanhedrin. In response to their questioning about what had taken place Peter does not back down from his prior declaration, despite knowing the role these men played in Jesus’ crucifixion and the danger they posed for him. Instead, Peter makes a bolder declaration in their midst: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Not only was Peter stating outright that salvation is found in Jesus, but that salvation is ONLY found in Jesus. Dig Deeper The Book of Acts is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I have always been drawn to the fact that the miracles did not stop after the resurrection. Despite Jesus having already ascended to heaven, the Disciples were out healing the sick and making the lame walk. These miracles were a sign to the people that what the Disciples spoke of Jesus was true. These signs also protected the Disciples in this instance, for while it would have been easier to “get rid” of the Disciples, the council’s hands were tied, since the people had already seen the miracles, with thousands coming to faith in Jesus as a result. Instead this group of leaders on the council tried to compel the Disciples to stop telling people about Jesus. Despite the council being a powerful enemy to have, Peter refused. Peter had seen the risen Jesus and been filled with the Holy Spirit. He was not going to give in to the demands of the council; they could not offer him salvation. Instead, Peter held firm and trusted in Jesus, the only one who saves. You will likely never stand before a council and have to speak on behalf of your faith. However, you might be put in a position someday where you are asked to compromise on your faith and values. If that day comes, remember Peter’s example of standing firm on your faith in Jesus and his reason for doing so: “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Almighty God, who raised Jesus from the dead; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will build your life with Christ as the cornerstone. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 9

Where can you find peace while wandering through a spiritual desert? Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 29 Q. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “Savior”? A. Because he saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere. Summary Near the end of the movie Thor: Ragnarok, Thor’s brother Loki is freed by a group of escaped slaves and expresses to them, “You do seem to be in desperate need of leadership”. Surprisingly enough, the newly escaped group followed Loki’s lead. Leadership is something that we desire. To see this in the world today, look no further than how countries are organized; typically there is an official head of the government known as the president, prime minister, or by some other title. The Old Testament book of 1 Samuel accounts how the Israelites wanted a king and asked the Prophet Samuel to appoint one over them. And in today’s passage we see this desire for leadership in the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. Moses had gone up the mountain to speak with God. After a delay in his return, the people began to worry. Without any confirmation that anything had happened to Moses, they began looking for new sources of leadership. It would be one thing if they were looking for a replacement for Moses, but the reality was far more troubling. At the behest of the people, Aaron fashioned a golden calf; an idol which the people declared as “your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Dig Deeper The errors of the Israelites at Mt. Sinai are plentiful. Believing that Moses may have perished on the mountain, they look towards not someone, but something to lead them. They were not looking to replace Moses so much as they were seeking out a replacement for God. Despite God having saved the Israelites from Pharaoh's army, feeding them manna when they needed food, and leading the Israelites through the wilderness as a pillar of smoke by day and fire by night; it is astounding how quickly they started searching for gods to lead them in the absence of Moses, who had acted as mediator between God and the Israelites. Where do you turn when God feels distant? A prolonged period of time where God feels distant is often referred to as a 'spiritual desert.' While many believers have experienced this at one time or another, experiencing a spiritual desert can be a sad and lonely place to be. When God feels distant, the actions of the Israelites at Mt. Sinai stand as a great example of what NOT to do. Having lost their connection with God via Moses’ absence, the people tried to seek out a replacement. The problem with this approach is that there is no replacement for God. While God may feel distant at times, this does not last forever. Remain faithful during the struggle. Spend time praying and reading scripture, even if it feels like a struggle to do so. Instead of seeking something to replace God, it will be far more rewarding spending that time in pursuit of God. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Holy Father, unchanging and omnipresent, even when we can't see Him; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will keep you from wandering away, even as you experience spiritual drought. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 8

Lots of people say 'Jesus Christ' often... be one of the people who knows what it means! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 29 Q. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “Savior”? A. Because he saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere. Summary While we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas, there is no reason to limit our study of these verses to one season. Just as the resurrection is relevant all year long, so too is the virgin birth. Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus is less detailed than the one found in the Gospel of Luke (which gets the most love around Christmas time). However, what we see in Matthew’s condensed telling of Jesus’ birth is the most important details being highlighted: the role of the Holy Spirit in Mary conceiving Jesus, the name and purpose of this child, and the faithfulness of Joseph to the angels command in naming the child. Dig Deeper When each of our children were born, there was a time at the hospital when my wife and I had to fill out information for the birth certificate. It is common today for parents to name their child either on the day they are born or shortly after. For us, this was something my wife and I did together. Things were a little different when Jesus was born into the world. According to the custom of the day, the duty of naming a son was reserved for the father, who would do so when the child was circumcised, eight days after birth. The visit from the angel changed Joseph’s perspective. Instead of doubting Mary, he now knew the truth of this miraculous child. Instead of leaving Mary, Joseph was faithful to the directions given to him by the angel. When the day came, Joseph gave the child the name Jesus, as he had been instructed. The name Jesus is significant because its Hebrew root means Yahweh saves. As the angel explains to Joseph, this name is fitting because Jesus would go on to save his people from their sins. What is shown in the angel’s message is how Jesus’ purpose was made clear before he was ever born. Jesus came to save us from our sins. Rejoice this day not just in the grace given by Jesus on the cross, but that saving believers like you and me is the reason Jesus came into the world at all. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God almighty, who became Immanuel - God with us; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you, like Joseph, will do what the Lord has commanded you to do. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 7

Hope in God is not just wishful thinking, but a sure foundation. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 28 Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us? A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. All creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved. Summary There are many gospel assurances in the book of Romans and living by faith alone. In Romans 5, Paul weaves together the truth of salvation in Jesus through faith that is secure in the past, present, and future. Since we have been justified through faith, we have been reconciled to God; we were once enemies because of the rebellion of sin, but now we are peaceful friends. Justification is a legal declaration that our standing before God has been made right because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has saved us by his blood. Justification has legal and relational implications, like the adoption process in our courts. It confirms our place in God’s family, and we receive the grace of living in that fellowship. God gives us the grace we need each day to withstand suffering and persevere, becoming more and more Christ-like in this process called sanctification. And all of this leads to the virtue of hope. Hope is typically used in our conversation as desiring something to happen but is not certain, such as, “I hope tomorrow is sunny” or “I hope our basketball team can advance to the finals.” Except when the Bible uses the word ‘hope,’ it is an objective truth that is reliable. Hope is an assurance, even if it is not fully experienced now. We can be confident that God will make good on His promises and that nothing will separate us from his love (Rom. 8:38–39). Dig Deeper God assures us that our hope will not be put to shame because He has given us the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). In Ephesians 1:14, Paul calls the Holy Spirit the downpayment from God, guaranteeing our inheritance and the complete fulfillment of the redemption of His people. Just like a downpayment on the house promises the full purchase in the future, so too is the Holy Spirit, a seal for objective hope. In Romans 5, Paul assures us that our hope in God will not be put to shame and that we can even boast in the hope of the glory of God (v2). We can boast because it is all God’s doing, and unlike human agreements, He will never default on His payment or fail to follow through. That is why Christians over the years have likened hope to an anchor. Through the winds and waves of life, hope in God keeps us secure through the storms. Understanding providence helps us put our hope in our faithful God and Father and His eternal plans. As R. C. Sproul once said, “hope is merely faith looking forward.” Keep your faith fixed on Jesus, our anchor set in glory. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received justification and reconciliation ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Examine what you put your hopes in, and how God can embolden your confidence in Him ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 6

Knowing our gracious God is in control, we can give thanks in everything Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 28 Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us? A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. All creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved. Summary Paul was no stranger to hardship. He had strenuous missionary journeys filled with angry mobs, shipwrecks, and imprisonment. Yet throughout his letters, he uses the verb “rejoice” and the noun “joy” fifty times! Thankfulness to God is a distinguishing marker for the Christian. Ingratitude is a marker of the wicked, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21). The Thessalonian Christians faced severe persecution for their faith when Paul wrote this letter. Yet near the closing of it, he commands them to rejoice always. Even though they faced threats from their fellow citizens, their primary purpose when gathering together as believers was to rejoice in what God has done for them in Christ. Knowing God’s providence should prompt prayers of praise since we know Who the source of life is. Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks are all linked together. Praying is our primary way of communicating with God, and the immediate posture toward Him should be one of gratitude. Dig Deeper When others say they need prayers or offer up prayer requests, the primary approach to praying to God is asking for specific needs. This is perfectly acceptable and even included in each of these devotions! However, verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:6 remind us that the foundation of a prayerful life gives frequent thanks to God. Prayer does not always need only to be tied to a specific ‘quiet time’ during your day but can be included in short sentences of thanksgiving as you acknowledge the good gifts God gives you throughout the day. There are many blessings in your life that you can acknowledge your gratitude to God for, and Q&A 28 tells us to be thankful when things go well. Then passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 tell us to give thanks in everything. Notice how it says in everything, not for everything. You do not need to give thanks for illness, for losing your job, or getting a flat tire, but you can give thanks for what God still provides in the midst of those things. You can give thanks for the promise that He will not leave you on your own and sends the Holy Spirit Who comes with joy (1 Thess 1:6). This joy from God helps the Christian to see God’s fatherly hand in whatever we face and know any momentary sufferings pale in comparison to the eternal glory God has in store for His people (2 Cor. 4:17). AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God is the Father of Lights and giver of every perfect gift (From James) ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Rejoice and thank God for Who He is and what He has done for you in your life and in sending His Son Jesus for your salvation. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 5

When things don’t go our way, it’s good to know God is still at work Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 28 Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us? A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. All creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved. Summary The Scriptures as a whole show how God worked through the history of Israel to bring about a Savior for His people at just the right time (cf. Rom. 5:6). The Bible is also filled with stories of God working through individuals and their particular circumstances for the ultimate good—that is of salvation. Joseph’s life in the book of Genesis is one of the more striking testimonies of God’s providence through adversity. Joseph’s life starts well with special blessings from his father, Jacob, and he dreams grand dreams that include images of his brothers bowing down to him. Except all of this makes his brothers livid with him, and they conspire to get rid of him by selling him to Midianites traveling through the region. Joseph ends up in Egypt, which starts well enough until he has to spend time in prison for a false accusation. Over and over, Joseph is knocked down and faces many situations that are the pits. One would think this would make Joseph a bitter and angry individual who would be planning out his revenge against his hateful brothers. Near the end of the book of Genesis, we read of his reunion with his brothers in Egypt, and he has his opportunity and the authority to really hand it to them. Yet he shows them kindness and grace, which leads to his brothers’ acknowledging their guilt, and there is reconciliation. Dig Deeper Joseph did not release his brothers from their responsibility for their sinful actions, but through his adversity, God refined him and reminded him who truly was in charge of everything. Joseph had seen that despite his brothers’ wicked intentions, God had a more excellent plan and would use Joseph’s time in Egypt to rescue his family from the effects of the famine in the land. And this didn't all happen instantly, but took much of his life. He spent many years in prison and overcoming other hardships. One of the beauties of the Heidelberg Catechism is how it doesn't just state teachings from Scripture, but often follows up with a sort of ‘so what?’ question. Q&A 28 is one of these instances. In other words: we believe in a God who creates, sustains, and rules over all creation and all His creatures—how does knowing this help us? And the first part of the answer deals with the reality of difficulties in life, “We can be patient when things go against us.” God’s ways are usually beyond our limited view, and knowing his providence helps us trust His goodness. You may have to face a co-worker who seems to be out to get you, have a severe illness that is sapping your strength, or recently lost a loved one. May God grant you patience in anything that is going against you and give you His peace that He is just and will make all things right. Remember that even in these burdens, “God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: A Heavenly Father who is good and just; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for perseverance to trust in God’s plans beyond your present circumstances. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 4

Nothing escapes God’s concern in His creation. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 27 Q What do you understand by the providence of God? A. Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty— all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand. Summary Yesterday, Acts 17 and the first part of Q&A 27 appealed to providence to prove God’s almighty and present power upholding His creation. In the second part of Q&A 27 and our passage today from Matthew 10, Jesus appeals to providence to assure the Father’s loving rule over His creation. Jesus had just warned his disciples that persecution would come and they would be hated because of their association with him. Yet in this passage, he tells them not to fear men or what harm they can do to them physically because there is one greater who all humanity must answer to, and who has power over both body and soul. The beginning of the Heidelberg Catechism starts with the same message: your only comfort in life and in death is that you belong body and soul, in life and in death, to your faithful Savior Jesus Christ. Even if persecution, illness, or calamity affects the body, no one can touch the Christian’s soul. But what’s even more, God is in control of it all, to the extent that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground, nor a hair falls from your head apart from His will. Two seemingly insignificant events are not outside of the Father’s care. So if God’s rule covers these common birds and minute daily occurrences, how much more does He value the overall concern of His children? Dig Deeper The end of this passage reminds us that those who openly profess their faith in Christ receive His eternal protection. This is why Q&A 1 speaks of providence this way: “He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.” Q&A 27 poetically refers to the highs and lows in life but then says, “all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from His fatherly hand.” As a Christian, you need not fear! It's not as if God is only in control of the good days; He also is working through the bad days. The Bible helps remind us that providence is not only found by looking at creation and the events around you, but providence also comes with the promise of a loving, just, and good God. If you trust in your heavenly Father, the promises you read in Matthew 10 and Q&A 27 reveal that His providence relieves can you of extreme fears, and that you can commit your everlasting care to your Heavenly Father. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: A Heavenly Father who rules over the universe and cares for his creatures ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Commit your cares and fears of this week to your faithful Savior who has secured you body and soul, and share with others His providence and grace He has shown you. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 3

God not only created all things, but He continues to uphold and direct His creation! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 27 Q What do you understand by the providence of God? A. Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty— all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand. Summary As Paul walked the streets of Athens in the First Century, he was struck by how idols were around every corner and temples dedicated to various gods. Since Alexander expanded the empire, Greece had been increasingly in contact with the religions of Egypt, Persia, and other regions. While the traditional Greek gods dominated the cityscape, the intellectuals of Athens were always ready to hear something new (Acts 17:21). Novelty was the name of the game, and Stoicism and Epicureanism were the leading philosophies of developing thought. They may have known of God from religious discussions but would not have truly known God. Paul sees their altar dedicated to an ‘unknown god’ unveiling an ignorance of the true God of heaven and earth. Paul is perceptive of what common ground he can build off of to pique the skeptics’ interest, but then he refutes their views by sharing with them the truth of the living God who not only created the universe but is still actively preserving the world. In Acts 17, Paul reminds us how closely connected God as Creator is to providence. That is why the Heidelberg Catechism seamlessly moves from Q&A 26, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth,” to Q&A 27, “What do you understand by the providence of God?” In Zacharias Ursinus’ (one of the original authors of the Heidelberg Catechism) commentary on Lord’s Day 10, he noted, “the subject of the providence of God is nothing else than a continuation of the creation; because the government of the world is the preservation of the things created by God.” Creation is dependent on the Creator. Creatureliness implies reliance on the Creator who gives life. In Paul’s speech on Mars Hill, he confirms God’s providential activity in creation (17:24), in providing (17:25), sustaining and directing human life (17:26, 28). Dig Deeper Despite God’s active upholding of the universe, it can be easy as His creatures to forget that everything we know in this world is preserved by His hand. Humans have grappled throughout the ages with the question of where life comes from and what life is. When Paul addresses the Athenians, he reminds us that life is rooted and grounded in God. There would be no life apart from Him. Stoicism and Epicureanism may not captivate as many of our neighbors today, but there is still a collision between Christianity and paganism regarding the source of life. It is more readily accepted in culture today that everything came from a big bang, and life evolved from lesser life forms over time. With that view, the universe and human affairs have no inherent purpose or goal but are a simply a product of random chance. Yet all know there is something more than pure luck in life. Paul tells the skeptics in Athens that providence leads people to seek God, for He is not far from each one of us (17:27). Sin has broken the close communion with our Creator God, who made human beings in His image. But thanks be to God, He has provided a way back by reconciling believers through Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The Creator God who is powerfully present in preserving all of life ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Does God seem near or far? Seek His guidance and that you show evidence of being His offspring ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 2