Q: What Is God’s Providence?

Providence is God’s active care, control, and governance over everything in His created universe by His sovereign will (Eph. 1:11) in wisdom and love.

Providence was planned by God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son and is executed by the Holy Spirit. Thus, providence means God preserves, sustains, and directs the universe through natural law and sometimes by overriding natural law and individuals to fulfill His eternal purposes (cf. Ps. 104).

God’s providence governs celestial heavens (Job 9:7–9); weather (37:9–13); natural disasters (Rev. 6—18); fruitful plant and animal life (Ps. 104:10–30); nations, especially Israel (Isa. 63:9); rulers (Rom. 13:1); world affairs (Dan. 4:17); birth (Ps. 139:1–17); and death (Heb. 9:27). Therefore, the idea that the universe functions by fate, chance, or luck is utterly erroneous.

God hates sin. He did not create sin, nor does He tempt man to sin; and, eventually, He will judge the sin of all people (Jas. 1:13–15). God allows sin to exist to perform a purpose in His providence. Scripture provides examples of how the sins of evil men brought about God’s providence for good.

For example, Joseph’s brothers sold him to Ishmaelites, who sold him to Potiphar in Egypt. Potiphar imprisoned Joseph on the false charge of adultery. In prison, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream about a coming seven-year famine; and Pharaoh rewarded Joseph by making him the second highest authority in the land under himself.

Many years later, Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt to buy grain during a famine and discovered Joseph oversaw the grain distribution, causing them to fear for their lives. Joseph said, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order . . . to save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).

Judas Iscariot deceived, stole, and betrayed Christ. He sold Jesus to His enemies, who crucified the Lord. In His providence, God allowed Judas’s wicked betrayal so that the greater good through Christ’s death would make salvation available to all mankind. Those who receive Christ will enjoy eternal life with Him.

Neither God’s name nor His Law are mentioned in Esther. Also absent is any mention of worship, prayer, sacrifice for sin, or Israel’s Temple. Yet God’s sovereign, silent, unseen hand worked behind the scenes through evil men like Haman to orchestrate the events that brought about Israel’s rescue from certain annihilation. God used Esther, Mordecai, and King Ahasuerus to deliver Israel through their own free wills, guided by God’s providence.

God’s providence clearly shines in believers’ lives: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Features

Antique fountain pen on parchment.

From the Editor Mar/Apr 2023

Publishing is an interesting industry. We must do everything very far in advance to meet our deadlines. I’m writing this column on December 2, 2022, but you’re reading...

God & Money

The popular musical Hello Dolly! had many memorable lines; but my favorite is this one: “Money,” said Dolly Levi, “pardon the expression, is like manure...

Ahasuerus

King Solomon wrote, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He [God] turns it wherever He wishes” (Prov. 21:1)...

Mordecai

Occasionally, my second son and I dabble in the hobby of polishing rocks. With lots of time and patience, rough-hewn stones placed into a rock tumbler...

Esther

When I was a kid, watching the Miss America Pageant on TV was a big deal in our home. The competition symbolized everything we knew back then about beauty...

Haman

Villains! Where would literature, movies, or old-time radio serials be without them? From Sherlock Holmes’s Professor Moriarty to Peter Pan’s Captain Hook...


Subscription Options

1 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$9.99 every 1 year

1 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$19.99 every 1 year

2 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$19.99 every 2 years

2 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$39.99 every 2 years

3 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$29.99 every 3 years

3 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$59.99 every 3 years