The Natural Linguist

I'm continually perplexed by the stoic insistence on the notion of Providence.  The cosmos is the way it is because of the fundamental nature of space/time and matter/energy. The cosmos is the way it is because Providence saw fit either to create it that way, or at least to ordain that it be so.  Which is it? Does it matter? Does it matter that we believe one or the other of these? Does it matter that our belief that it is one or the other be correct? For me, the main difference is that one model has a Mind or a Purpose behind it, and the other does not. What benefit is conferred by holding the belief in one's head that there is a purpose or intent behind the existence or nature of the cosmos? What detriment stems from thinking that the cosmos is the way it is because the properties of S/T and E/M simply to not permit it to be otherwise? I think it's vital to make the distinction between the real nature of the cosmos on the one hand, and our BELIEFS about the nature of the