Grace and Providence
God's Providence is His power and care for creation, demonstrated through His grace and bounty for humanity, meeting our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
William Cowper preaches about the Almighty King whose wondrous hand upholds the weight of the sea and land, emphasizing His boundless grace that sustains and provides for His people. He acknowledges God's providence in supplying food, nourishment through His word, and the source of all outward comfort. Cowper reflects on how God's hand protects, heals, and overrules for the best, leading to a deep sense of gratitude and praise that even an angel's song cannot fully express.
Text
Almighty King! whose wond'rous hand
Supports the weight of sea and land;
Whose grace is such a boundless store,
No heart shall break that sighs for more;
Thy Providence supplies my food,
And 'tis thy blessing makes it good;
My soul is nourish'd by thy word,
Let soul and body praise the LORD.
My streams of outward comfort came
From him, who built this earthly frame;
Whate'er I want his bounty gives,
By whom my soul for ever lives.
Either his hand preserves from pain,
Or, if I feel it, heals again;
From Satan's malice shields my breast,
Or overrules it for the best.
Forgive the song that falls so low
Beneath the gratitude I owe!
It means thy praise, however poor,
An angel's song can do no more.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to Providence
- God's Providence in Daily Life
- God's Providence in Times of Trial
- Conclusion and Praise
- Acknowledging God's greatness and our limitations
- Expressing gratitude and praise to God
Key Quotes
“Thy Providence supplies my food, And 'tis thy blessing makes it good;” — William Cowper
“Forgive the song that falls so low Beneath the gratitude I owe!” — William Cowper
“It means thy praise, however poor, An angel's song can do no more.” — William Cowper
Application Points
- We should acknowledge God's greatness and our limitations, and express gratitude and praise to Him.
- We can trust in God's Providence to meet our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- We should respond to God's Providence with humility and thanksgiving.