“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Chapter 17: Pages 221-238, Job 38-41

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 2 "Providence Over Nature" - moving to chapter seventeen "Earth, Water, Wind, Plants, and Animals". 

Here, Piper draws on a comprehensive set of scripture examples to "show God's close attentiveness in directing every aspect of [the] natural world", including earth, water, wind, plants and animals.  Piper believes there are three reasons why we should examine this attentiveness: (1) the natural world is of far greater harm to us then human-kind, and "[w]e need to know the measure of God's providence over the parts of reality that threaten our lives most[;]" (2) for us to have deep conviction in God's providence over the natural world, we need to look more closely at both the "macro" and "micro" level of his "rule in nature[;]" (3) "if we don't see the close attentiveness of his governance of the natural world in Scripture, we will not see his purposes in that governance."

Piper pauses to admonish unbelievers and believers alike for how they fail to see God at work in the natural world: "[t]he world and even thousands of Christians give no praise and thanks to God for millions of daily, life-sustaining providences because they do not see the world as the theater of God's wonders." He turns to one of the key purposes of writing the book "is to help Christians live in the radical, free devotion to seeking the kingdom first, because our doctrine of providence moves us to really believe God's control is detailed and powerful and merciful enough to clothe every lily on the planet and give us all we need to live out his righteousness."

We are reminded that the purpose of examining God's role in the natural world is "the glory of God, which we see and heart and taste and feel and smell in it, might be joyfully, thankfully admiringly experienced as part of the inheritance purchased for us by the blood of Jesus."

Finally, Piper wraps up the chapter by using Job 38-41 to help illustrate how we should view God's role in the natural world and how His providence over nature fits into the broader context and discussion of God's providence.  "God used [the] same natural world [that brought so much calamity into his life] to silence Job's blaming mouth and to open his eyes to the countless God-governed wonders which brought him to repentance (Job 42:6) and blessedness (Job 42:10, James 5:11)."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You created the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants, you sustain all things and all of the details of everything are planned and held together by You.  I am amazed at Your glory and praise Your glory.  You are so full of mercy and compassion for me and I know You care about the details of my life - thank You Jesus!  But I am undeserving.  I continue to sin yet I don't want to...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.