Each of these three types of providence reflects a greater degree of closeness to the central purpose, the deepest reason for God's creation and upholding of all things - the revelation and glorification of His being and attributes, which are especially glorified in the salvation of His church.

When we speak of all things being in God's providence and of God directing all things according to His purpose, we must also realize that God works His purpose through means. If it is in God's providence to grant us excellent health in the coming year, He generally works this through the means of good food, shelter, and clothing. If it is in God's providence to grant us a good harvest next year, He will probably produce this through granting proper amounts of rain and sunshine, and appropriate temperatures. God's normal way is to work through means.

Separating God's providence from the means that He uses to effect His purposes is a mistake. God is the primary cause, but it is His normal manner to work through means as secondary causes. This truth is of great practical importance in our daily lives. In all things we must realize the necessity of God's blessing and pray for this in the first place; but we must also actively use the means God has provided in the second place. We must pray and work. One without the other is not proper; we must actively do both, balancing these two scriptural truths in our daily lives. How do the following texts testify of this balance?

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being )redestinated according to the )urpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.

- Ephesians 1:5-6, 11-12