Providence means that the hand of God is in the glove of human events.

{Dr. J. Vernon McGee}

There are  a few words we must look at concerning God and His PERSONAL affairs in this world. God is not impersonal, or  as some would wrongly think that the world is like a clock that God winds up, and let’s go, to run by itself and having no personal dealings with it or the people in it, Not so. He is personally involve, not a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowing, seeing and being present. he knows the very hairs on your head and when and where every hair falls. Nothing escapes Him. He is personally involved in this world, in your world. Several things we need to know before we look at the Providence of God.

The first is, CREATION– “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”-{Genesis 1:1}; “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for {towards} Him.” -{Col 1;16};

The second word is PRESERVATION,- God holds it all  together,”And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the Word of His power.”- {Hebrews 1:3}; “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”-{Col 1:17}.

SOVEREIGNTY. The last five letters spell “R–E-I-G-N.” God reigns, He rules supreme over all HIS creation.”Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.“-{Psalm 135;6}; “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God”-(Psalm 90:2}; “For You, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods”-{Psalm 97:9}. Sovereign in Creation, Salvation, Eternal Destination. With those words, Creation, Preservation, Sovereignty, we see God’s intimate involvement with His creation.

God Created, Owns it all;

God Preserves,Sustains it all;

God is Sovereign, Reigns over all!

God’s Providence will conclude it all

PROVIDENCE Is God directing His World  moving it towards His end. He is moving it towards His future by Providence.

 

PROVIDENCE;

Providence means that the hand of God is in the glove of human events.

{Dr. J. Vernon McGee}

MOSES AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD;

Providence, what a beautiful awe inspiring word for the child of God. A word full of hope, assurance, that can strengthen us in our trying times, that can fuel hope to look forward in anticipation to comfort us and light the fire of faith that brings rest to our at times frayed nerves and tired and weary mind. A Word that inspires confidence, hope and fuel for praise, thanksgiving and worship to GOD. For this word is about God, it points to Him and speaks of Him and boasts in Him.

” Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi.  The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months.  But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.  His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her.  When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the  boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call  a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?”  Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother.  Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.  The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.” – {Exodus 2;1-10}. God is in the details! He raised up Moses to deliver His people from the bondage of Egypt. He Providentially arranged for Pharaoh’s daughter o see be by the river, see the baby in the basket and raise the child as it’s own and arranged for the baby’s mother unknown to pharaoh’s daughter to take care of the child.

God planing for the future and God providing for that future, NOT by chance but by Choice, all under His control! 

On a personal level the Providence is God orchestrating events, people, moving them, having their paths cross, circumstancing events, people, all to provide for your need and that is marvelous hope.

Even out of tragedy, betrayal, injustice He is working…

JOSEPH AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

The story of Joseph shows us the providence of God, God was working and bringing about His plan, “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. “For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.”-  {Gen 45:5-8}. All that time before even the evil motives and deeds of his brothers  could not deter God doing good and in the future when famine came these same brothers would be beneficiary of the mercy, kindness and providence of God, as GOD raised raised up Joseph and gave him favor elevating him to such a high political position and wisdom to deal with the problem!

It was as Joseph looked back that he Traced the work of God and saw that God had a purpose in his circumstances, in his life, and he testified to others about God, and His role, intimate, involvement and plan concerning his life it. Note, He didn’t say he had delivered the people, but God and that for “good.” God was working and is even when we fail to detect it.

Joseph did not touch the glory belonging to the Lord by taking it, stealing it for himself but he told of it!  God’s Providence; Because He has prevision He makes provision, knitting people, orchestrating circumstances together to meet a need!

How could you look at Joseph’s life, betrayed by his jealous brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of attempted rape, imprisoned, forgotten by a man who had promised he would mention him when he got out of prison, by putting in a “good” word for him, but didn’t! It seemed he was abandoned, forgotten, betrayed, “BUT GOD…” had not.”But God,” was working. GOD raised him up in that society to be the second most powerful man. God gave him favor, power, and he did not abuse it but used it to help OTHERS!

God was always in control and a future people including Joseph’s brothers who had behaved evil and deceived their dad, even they along with “many people,” would have their lives spared, kept alive and provided for and the man God would raise up to do so was Joseph! God was up to something “GOOD!” And Joseph was neither bitter nor vindictive, but gracious, kind and loving and this was a wonderful testimony to God at work in the man’s life!

Whatever you are going through is not final, it’s not the end, God is working and can work all things, even our sin, failings, foolishness and that of others- He is able to work all things together for good to those who love Him…”- {Rom 8:28}. Joseph does not deny what others did was evil, BUT he does not end up with been taken up with that BUT God who IS able and IS working it for GOOD and to not only do Good to him but also GOOD for others through him!

Whatever it looks like remember there is always a “But God…” who has the final say. As he did in Joseph’s life so He too has the ultimate say in your life!

JESUS AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—  this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.“- {Acts 2:22-23}.

PAUL AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,  and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;  and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,  but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”  The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,  and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”  But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;  and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”  But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”  All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”  But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.“- {Acts 9:1-22}.

Jesus said regarding Paul “…he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” God chosen him, when? Before he was born according to Galatians 1:15-16. God had providentially controlled circumstances, events to bring to the end He desired, for Paul’s eternal welfare and his being drafter into service for the LORD to specifically testify to others.God at work before Paul was even born, and the unfolding of his life was bringing him daily closer to when the LORD intervened on the road to Demascus and his life was dramatically changed. and as a result God has unfurled His plan providentially down through the ages to read the words Paul penned under the influence of the Holy Spirit for future generations to spiritually benefit multitudes for eternal salvation. God’s providence unfurled and continuing to being unfurled!.

Paul wrote,

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased  to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,”-{Gal 1;15-16}.

Before He was born God had chosen Him and then in his Time having circumstances His life He intervened and saved him! The Providence of God!

LYDIA AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

“… and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;  and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.  A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis;  and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.  And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.  And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”- {Acts 16;7-15}.

Paul had wanted to go to a certain area and the Spirit of God forbid him and re-directed him in the different way and down by a river the LORD who had Providentially saved Paul and then at a later time forbid him from going to one location, redirected him towards another location where Lydia was down by the river, unknown to her that the LORD was providentially working it all for her eternal welfare and His glory as He was working all things according to His plan.

 

THE JAILER AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

Paul ended up in prison for doing the LORD’S will! So often we falsely believe that if we are “doing His will,” we are kept from any trials, troubles. But not so, God cares for souls and uses His people, circumstances, events to go get a soul from spiritual darkness into spiritual light. Such was the unfolding of the providence of God in the life of a suicidal jailor and his family. Paul and Silas were put in prison for being about the LORD’S business and delivering a fortune teller from demonic influence and men who used her. They did good and what happened? They ended up in prison! How could this be? They were “serving the LORD?” “But God…” He was after the welfare of the jailor and his family. Providentially, sending His Son into the world in the fullness of time-{Read Gal 4:4}. He died was buried and raised from the dead and providentially intervened in Paul’s life and saved him whom He had chosen before his birth and called him to preach the Gospel.-{Read Gal 1;15-16}. And he was doing that when it ended it him in prison. Was he bitter, angry at God? Read ahead, “…But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. “-{ Acts 16:25-26}. God who is Sovereign, and in control of all things including the weather had and earthquake come and the foundations of the prisons shaken, doors flung open…”

“When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.  But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,  and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.  And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.  And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.“-{Acts 16:27-34}. The jailor was about to commit suicide and Paul told him to do himself no harm all the prisoners were still there, no one bolted and from his providential circumstances he asked “What must i do to be saved? God who rules, PROVIDENTIALLY had Paul and Silas there coming from the injustice of men who were upset the woman they used was no longer able to make them money, “But God…” was still in charge and working towards an end the spiritual goodness, welfare of the jailor and his household, of eternal benefits, the saving of their souls! God on the move, circumstancing, moving people, dictating events all to His end, his will been done,His glory. God controlling circumstances, events, people all to His end.

 

PAUL, JAIL, AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD;

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,  so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.“-{Philippians 1:12-14} ,

Paul  back in prison- again! Why?  Was he upset with God? Note he says ” I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel’ The word “progress,” was used of “wood-choppers,” those who went ahead of the army to cut away and remove any obstacles so as they came along the road they could continue to walk unhindered! So Paul in his circumstances was paving a way for the Gospel. And in verse 13 he EVANGELIZED. v 14 he ENCOURAGED the brethren, it says –  most of the brethren were encouraged to speak the Word of God without fear. Why? Paul said “…because of my imprisonment.” Again the Providence of God, God orchestrating events, Paul, and the prison guards and those believers in prison!

 YOU AND GOD’S PROVIDENCE.

What about you? Think about the circumstances, moves in your life, the people who came in and out, sharing he Gospel with you, perhaps over a period of time, perhaps once and then they were gone, “But God,” circumstanced your life, events and that of others to cross your path, events, circumstances all been knit to an end, your eternal good and welfare. Your salvation and His glory. God working in the affairs of people!

In my own case bringing me half way around the world, meeting a man from England and then others sharing with me, then a man from Australia, hearing the Word of God, going to a church meeting just to get people off my back, so I went to tell them – I’ve tried it, but it’s not for me.” “But God…” He was after me, pursuing me and ruling and over ruling events, orchestrating them and people and then one glorious day, He convicted me of my sin and my need for Him and His mercy and the ability to repent, turning to God and placing my faith in the LORD Jesus! God providentially orchestrating life;s events, moving people in and out of my life and exposing me to the Gospel and saving me from His wrath {Rom 1:18;}; The penalty of sin-{Rom 6:23} and the dominion of satan-{Col 1:12-14}. Saving me FROM…saving me  TO…justified by faith, a new standing in favor with God, the right to become a children of God! Adopted into His family, accepted in the Beloved, Sealed , secured by the Spirit,  He has granted us Divine power and EVERYTHING to life and Godliness… and precious and magnificent promises… to empower, encourage us!

 

” The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind forces (fortune, chance, luck, fate); all that happens to them is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice, knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good (Rom. 8:28).”-{J.I. Packer}

 

HE IS WORKING OUT HIS PLAN TO HIS END;

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will “-{Ephesians 1:11}.

The word “Providence” –“It comes from the word “provide” which has two parts: “pro” (Latin: “forward,” “on behalf of”) and “vide” (Latin: “to see”).Linguistically “pro” means “on behalf of” as well as “forward.” So “pro-vide” can mean “to see on behalf of.” We say in English: “I’ll see to that.” “See to” means “take care of, provide for.” In other words “seeing something with a purpose” is to make provision for what you see. “Seeing to” something is acting on behalf of something. It is “providing.” Thus, providence is the act of God’s “seeing to” the universe. He’ll see to that.

Theologically, there is a reason why “seeing to” means “providing for.” Remember the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac his son. Before they went up the mountain, Isaac said to his father, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7). Abraham answered, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And when God had shown Abraham a ram caught in the thorns, Genesis 22:14 says, “Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide.”

Whenever it says “provide” in Genesis 22 the Hebrew word is, “see.” Very simply Abraham said to Isaac, “God will see for himself the lamb.” And in verse 14: “The Lord will see.” Why does God’s “seeing” in Hebrew mean that he will provide? I think the deepest answer is that God never simply sees without acting. He is God. He is not a passive participant in a world that exists without his sustaining it. Wherever God is looking, God is acting. If God perceives, he performs. If he inspects, he effects. In other words there is a profound theological reason why “providence” does not merely mean “foreknowledge,” but rather “the active sustenance and governance of the universe.” When God “sees,” he “sees to.” His seeing is always with a view to doing. Where He patrols, He controls. “-{John Piper}

Providence means to provide. God provided. He sees and He meets, Jesus says in “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. -{Matthew 6:7-8}. He knows your need before you ask and He has taken care of it. He has the pre-vision to make the provision. He moves people, circumstances and events as He pleases to meet your needs and bring about His plan and will.

“Known to God from eternity are all His works (Acts 15:18). ‘God’, says John Calvin, ‘is keeper of the keys and therefore governs all events.’ For that reason God does not prepare for the things that happen, but rather all things flow from His will and counsel. The word providence is only used once in Scripture, but even then it has reference to the foresight of man (Acts 24:2).”

God is SOVEREIGN;

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.” -{Psalms 103:19}; “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.“-{Psalm 135:6}; “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? “They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? “Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.” -{Job  11:7-9}

God is OMNISCIENT- ALL KNOWING;

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” -{Matthew 10:29 }

What then, is the providence of God? Here is the answer of the Heildelberg Catechism (Question 27): It is:

The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth, with all creatures, and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

And why should we study this? What good will it do? Here is the answer from question 28.

That we may be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and for what is future have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from his love, since all creatures are so in his hand that without his will they can not so much as move.