The Providence of God

I. The Extent of Providence

A. Over Evil

Proverbs 15:3 NASB95

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.

Proverbs 18:2 NASB95

2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

Proverbs 19:3 NASB95

3 The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord.

Proverbs 22:12 NASB95

12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man.

Proverbs 26:12 NASB95

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

B. Over Man’s Plans

1. God is in Control

Proverbs 16:1 NASB95

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Proverbs 19:21 NASB95

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.

Proverbs 16:9 NASB95

9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

2. Man Cannot Overturn God

Proverbs 21:30–31 NASB95

30 There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord. 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.

George Washington, of all our great leaders, was certainly blessed with God's Providence. By all accounts, he should have been killed in the French and Indian War (1754-1763), but was miraculously saved. At the Battle at the Monongahela, Washington and the British army were ambushed by the French. Every officer on horseback was killed except Washington. He later wrote to his brother John on July 18, 1755:

But by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.

Washington was only 23 when he faced that ordeal of death on the battlefield. He emerged unscathed with his faith deeper and stronger than ever. God had protected him, and he became the military leader of the greatest war for independence ever fought in all of history. On June 1, 1774, when the Colonies were seeking God's will in making their momentous decision to sever their ties with England, Washington wrote in his diary: "Went to church and fasted all day."

When he became Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army he appointed chaplains for every regiment, recognizing that his men needed spiritual nourishment as well as the bodily kind, for this was a war that could not be won without miracles.

One such miracle occurred on August 27, 1776. British General Howe had trapped Washington and his 8,000 troops on Brooklyn Heights on Long Island, and he intended to advance the next morning to destroy them. But Washington gathered every vessel he could find and spent all night ferrying his men across the East River. In the morning there was still a large number of soldiers facing annihilation by Howe. But a heavy fog descended on the area enabling the rest of Washington's troops to escape the British trap.

3. Man Fails on His Own

Proverbs 14:12 NASB95

12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Humanity pursues

4. Conclusion

Proverbs 27:1 NASB95

1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

C. Over the Destiny of Man

Proverbs 16:4 NASB95

4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

Pharaoh providentially placed in power by God so that Moses could lead Israel to freedom.

D. Over Chance

Proverbs 16:33 NASB95

33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary God, Not Chance, Decides (16:33)

The Old Testament use of the word lot shows that this proverb (and 18:18) is not about God’s control of all random occurrences, but about his settling of matters properly referred to him. Land was ‘allotted’ (Josh. 14:1, 2), likewise temple service (1 Chr. 25:8); probably the Urim and Thummim were lots. But God’s last use of this method was, significantly, the last event before Pentecost (Acts 1:26);

II. The Excellencies of Providence

A. It Brings Success

Proverbs 16:3 NASB95

3 Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.

Proverbs 21:22 NASB95

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

B. It Brings Joy

Proverbs 16:20 NASB95

20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

C. Safety

Proverbs 18:10 NASB95

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 28:26 NASB95

26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

D. Understanding

Proverbs 20:24 NASB95

24 Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?

E. Elevation

Proverbs 29:25 NASB95

25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.