(Scriptures for consideration: Genesis 50: 15-20; Deuteronomy 4:39; 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:18)
The Bible affirms the glorious existence of the great God of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6). Moreover, the God of Scripture is the God of history, who has intervened in the affairs of man, His creature. He is not, however, merely a God of the past; rather, He is the eternal “I AM” (Exodus 3:14), the One “who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:4). Those who have a reverent regard for Almighty God do not doubt His movement in today’s world. It is, though, vitally important that we understand exactly how the Lord works.
The Bible shows us that God operates providentially in the world today by means of natural law. Just as the Lord works to bring about man’s salvation through spiritual laws, His ultimate purpose is enhanced in His sovereign use of natural law as well.
God sees the end from the beginning, although this is not because He merely looks into the future but because He Himself has ordained it, even down to the exact length of our lifetimes (Psalm 39:4; Isaiah 46:8–10). But divine providence goes beyond the temporal to also encompass the spatial. Nothing in creation, no matter where it is, ever escapes God’s view (Psalm 139:7–12).
The term “providence” derives from the Latin, "providentia", signifying “foresight.” The word is used to denote the biblical idea of the wisdom and power which God continually exercises in the preservation and government of the world, for the ends which He proposed to accomplish. Providence comes into the English language from the Latin terms "pro" and "vide", which mean “see” and “before,” respectively. So, providence refers in the first instance to what the Lord sees in advance.
Providence concerns God’s support, care and supervision of all creation, from the moment of the first creation to all the future into eternity. The concept of providence, therefore, is opposed to deism, which asserts God’s non-interest in the world; additionally, it is the opposite of “fate” or “chance,” which sees world events as uncontrollable and without any element of benevolent purpose. At this point, the following observation needs to be made. While God exercises a general providence over the Universe and its creatures as a whole, there also is a special providential care that the Father manifests on behalf of His regenerate children. This fact is established by the doctrine of prayer. Does God hear and respond to (consistent with His will) the petitions of Christians? He most assuredly does (John 15:7; James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14-15), and those prayers are answered by providential means.
PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING DIVINE PROVIDENCE
It is very important that a consideration be given to certain principles that are involved in the operation of divine providence. Remember that any concept of providence one chooses to believe must be consistent with the teaching of the Bible in general.
1) God never operates providentially in any way that is in conflict with His nature or His revealed will.
2) Divine providence does not negate man’s freedom of will.
3) The providential must be distinguished from the miraculous. A miracle is God’s working on a plain that is above that of natural law; providence is His utilization of natural law. In a miracle, the Lord works directly; in providence, He operates indirectly, employing means to accomplish the end.
4) In providence, God works behind the scenes.
THE SCOPE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
From the vastness of the entire Universe, to the very hairs of one’s head, the providential interest of the Lord is manifested. Let us illustrate the scope of His majestic concern:
1) The Universe
2) The forces of nature. God is in control of the forces of nature.
3) The animal creatures. Since the life of every living thing is in the hand of God (Job 12:10), one is not surprised to learn that God maintains and uses His animal creation.
4) God and the nations. Since the fall of man, Almighty God has been working a plan designed to effect the redemption of sinful humanity.
