choice. The Lord intervenes, in silent careful ways, to curve or bend us. If He
cannot lead us away from evil, He will at least lead us to a lesser evil. He never
gives up, never leaves us.
Let us rejoice in the greatness of His love and mercy toward us. And while
we will not be certain of what He is doing in any given situation or state, we
can be assured that He is present and actively leading and caring for us. For He
has all power and all glory forever.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty
The Lord mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)
The Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith is Executive Bishop of the General
Church, General Pastor of the General Church, Chancellor of
the Academy of the New Church, and President of the General
Church in Canada, the General Church in South Africa and
of General Church International, Incorporated. He lives with
his wife, Gretchen (Umberger), in Bryn Athyn. Contact: Brian.
[email protected]
O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y
Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966.
INDICATIONS OF PROVIDENCE
Here we have another term which is firmly established in our vocabulary but is nowhere
to be found in the Writings, although it expresses an idea derived from them. The phrase has
been taken to mean that the limits imposed by a situation, what seems possible at any given
time, are indications of Providence as to what should be done, and much less has been said in
the Church about seeking and following the indications of Providence.
It is our belief that this idea should be approached with great caution, and in the light
of the teaching that the Lord never shows or tells men directly what to do; for the dictate of
men’s loves may cause them to see different indications of the exigencies of the same situation.
There are indications of Providence; but these, we believe, are the teachings of the Word.
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