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April 02, 2008
In Pastor's Words
PROVIDENCE
No, we’re not talking about a city in Rhode Island, but rather a doctrine in the Bible that touches every one of God’s creatures. While our English dictionary simply defines “providence” as “God’s benevolent guidance for the future,” God’s Word is much more descriptive. Although the word “providence” is not actually in the Bible, the essence of it can be found throughout the Scriptures. For instance, we find examples like, “gives food to every creature” (Psalm 136:25) and “He makes springs pour water into the ravines” (Psalm 104:10). Providence is best illustrated in Jesus’ words, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Even in Ephesians 2:10, Paul alludes to the doctrine of providence when he states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The words “prepared in advance for us to do” exactly captures the idea of providence that is played out in each of our lives. Providence is God’s physical and spiritual provision for us that He planned to do beforehand.
Scripture presents God’s “providence” for us in three categories. First, He prepared Christ for us as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Jesus’ death and resurrection for the salvation of mankind were not accidents of history or alternative choices by the Almighty. Knowing that man would sin and would need a Savior, God prepared and provided His Son from eternity past in to be our Savior. Second, God prepared in advance a witness to Himself through creation. Romans 1:20 states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Third, God provides in advance the care of his creatures, both physically and spiritually. Jesus reminds His listeners in the Sermon on the Mount, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26,27).
How does “providence” play out in your life and mine? History (yours, mine, the world’s) has been termed “His Story” or “The Hand behind the headlines.” On the world stage, “despots may plan and armies may march, and the congresses of the nations may seem to think they are adjusting all the affairs of the world, but the mighty men of the earth are only the dust of the chariot wheels of God’s providence” (T. Dewitt Talmage).” Reinforcing the fact that our God is the God of history, Daniel declares, “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” (Dan. 4:25). Likewise, God’s provident care is unmistakably seen in the smallest details of our lives. Vance Havner said, “I thank God for the Unseen Hand, sometimes urging me onward, sometimes holding me back, sometimes with a caress of approval, sometimes with a stroke of reproof; sometimes correcting, sometimes comforting. My times are in His hand.” Whatever you’re going through today, whatever trial you’re going through, whatever joy you’re experiencing, whatever challenge you’re facing, God is behind the scenes causing “all things to work together for good” (Romans 8:28) for the believer. Please join us this Sunday as we talk more about “God at work behind the scenes.”
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at April 2, 2008 10:45 AM