The Providence of God

Dr. Couch, someone has said that Psalm 104 is a great psalm on the Providence of God in His world. Do you agree? ANSWER:  Absolutely. This is a great poetic passage but it is certainly true and real as to how the Lord manages His world. The chapter says:    God unfolds His world like a curtain (v. 2) and builds it up like a great house (v. 3). The foundation of the earth is gravity and He has established the world upon that foundation (v. 5). He caused the hills to rise (v. 8) and causes by gravity the springs to flow between the mountains (v. 10). No, the passage does not mention gravity but that is what is implied and what we can see today.    The Lord causes the grass to grow to feed the animals (v. 14) and for the vegetation for the labor of mankind (v. 14b). By this Providence He "may bring forth food from the earth" because of the water He provides (v. 14c). Because of the tilt of the earth, the Lord produces wine "that He may sustain man's heart" (v. 15). The trees drink their fill of water (v. 16); He made the moon for their seasons (v. 19) and darkness in order to allow "the young lions to prowl about" (v. 20).    The entire system of the earth's living system comes about by God's wisdom. His many works—He has made them all (v. 24). He "made the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number. Animals both small and great" (v. 25).    "The glory of the Lord endures forever" (v. 31). Therefore "Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; as for me, I shall be glad in the Lord" (v. 34).    What great truths pour off the pages of Psalm 104!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Destroying What God Has Built

Dr. Couch, there seems to be people out here in our churches and schools bent on destroying what God has built? Is this not so? ANSWER:  Yes, you're right. There are people who are deep into carnality and fleshliness. They are not into heresy but simply carnality! Paul speaks about this in 1 Corinthians 11:19. "For there must be heresies among you, that they which are approved (who are tried) may be made manifest among you."    I have seen evil men in churches who are heretics. Not doctrinally so but in their actions, Hodge would say. Hodge points out that the word "heresy" here implies that they choose to destroy, say a church or a seminary. The word implies, he says, a "chosen way of life, a party of men who come together to destroy." Hodge goes on and writes: "By the prevalence of disorders and other evils in the church, God puts his people to the test. They are tried as gold in the furnace, and their genuineness is made to appear. It is a great consolation to know that dissension, whether in the church or in the state, are not fortuitous, but are ordered by the providence of God, and are designed, as storms, for the purpose of purification."    So be prepared for evil men in the church who will try to take over, to divide, and cause trouble. In God's mysterious providence they are sent by Him to make you stronger. There are no accidents with the Lord. All things have a reason for happening!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch