The Providence of God
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“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Observations needed to begin our study:
People may disagree, demonization need not occur. We all seek the truth!
We must seek to examine God’s Word, knowing the truth rest within.
Be careful to avoid extremes. God is absent today, or, He is the great micromanager of our day.
Wisdom tells us that we ought not go beyond that which is revealed ().
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
The word providence comes directly from the Latin word providentia, Which, in turn stems from the Latin word providere, or in English, provide.
And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
Acts 24:2-3
Providere has a prefix: pro, meaning “before” or “in front of”.
The root videre means, “to see”. Therefore, Providence at its core is to “to see beforehand”.
And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
How did God use Foresight in the Creation of the World?
How did God use Foresight in the Creation of the World?
How did God use foresight in the creation of the world?
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
“Before the foundation of the world” ()
Since God has given man free will to choose life or death (), we must be willing to accept that God may have had a plan for both choices, sin and obedience. We are only seeing the plan for sin because that is the choice that was made.
God exists outside of time. That which is considered future to us is present to God. (; )
There are two factors involved in God’s Providential working with Man: God’s Plan, and man’s work to serve and fulfill God’s plan. (There is one caveat: man does not need to know God’s plan to fulfill it)
God Works Through Righteous Men: Joseph
Joseph was sent into slavery and eventually spent years in prison only to eventually be given a place of prominence, second only to Pharaoh, in all of Egypt. God worked through Joseph’s virtuous character to fulfill his plan of saving Israel from the famine.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
While God works through virtuous people, He does not depend solely on virtuous people to fulfill His plan.
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
God Works Through Sinful Men: David
David was supposed to be at war with the rest of his men (), instead, he stayed in his palace and called upon another man’s wife.
To cover his sin, David sought to have the man lay with his wife. Of course, the man would not do so and David took it to the furthest extent and had the man killed (, ).
David married Bathsheba and eventually repented of his sin (; ). God made Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, king over Israel. Furthermore, the line of Christ came directly through Bathsheba and David ().
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Does God Still Work Through Us Today?
Since God still has a desire for us to come to a knowledge of truth and receive salvation (), he works through us to accomplish that goal to the ends of the earth.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
The nations plot against God and our Messiah (). Yet, God laughs at their plans because he controls the governing authorities ().
Finally, God has promised that He will provide for us () and that He will discipline us as a loving father should (). How can God do either of these things for us today if He is not working providentially in our lives?
The question is, do we trust Him enough to jump when He says “jump”, or let go when he says “let go”? Are we seeking to be the kind of righteous people that God can work through? Are we allowing God to turn our sin around and change our being?