120-05 Chance, Fate or Providence?

Selected Scriptures

Our Scripture reading—Ps 104 develops a truth I would like to spend this morning exploring with you. It has to do with our current study in Acts 13—A Guide to Missions” but we’re not going to spend time there today. Every great missionary embraces God’s providence (what is actually the 4th point). Before looking at those vv…I feel the necessity to help you understand what we mean by providence.

The doctrine of providence stands at odds with modern worldviews, perhaps more so than any other doctrine of God. The truth that God has not abandoned His creation but works within it to manage all things to their appointed end is in contrast with the world. The world believes that God (those who acknowledge him) does not now intervene in human affairs. Many are skeptical about miracles and that prayer can even be answered. They doubt God is a personal God and simply subscribe to the belief that whatever happens in the world is chance or coincidence at best.

For a long time—the world was divided by opposing beliefs—it still happens today:

· Epicurean philosophers: world is governed totally by chance

· Stoics: world is governed by fate.

Providence refutes both ideas. Definition

“Continuing action of God by which He preserves in existence the creation which He has brought into being, and directs it to His intended purposes for it.”

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth Divine Providence

Divine providence is God’s preserving his creation, operating in every event in the world, and directing the things in the universe to his appointed end for them.

The word providence is not found in your Bibles, but like other doctrines (Trinity), the truth is found thruout. The term comes from Latin “foresee” but much more than the implication that God merely knows in advance what is going to happen.

Why does all this matter? The doctrine of providence is central to the conduct of the Xn life. It is how you are able to live with the assurance that God is present and active in your life. That you are in His care and that you can face the future with confidence knowing all things are not happening by chance.

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth Scope

Scope

God’s providence encompasses the following: the universe as a whole (Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11), the physical realm (Job 37:1–13; Pss. 104:14; 135:6; Matt. 5:45), the animals (Ps. 104:21, 28; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), the nations (Job 12:23; Pss. 22:28; 66:7; Acts 17:26), man’s birth and life (1 Sam. 1:19–20; Ps. 139:16; Isa. 45:5; Gal. 1:15–16), man’s successes and failures (Ps. 75:6–7; Luke 1:52), things apparently accidental or unimportant (Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30), protection of his people (Pss. 4:8; 5:12; 63:8; 121:3; Rom. 8:28), provision for his people (Gen. 22:8, 14; Deut. 8:3; Phil. 4:19), answering prayers (1 Sam. 1:9–19; 2 Chron. 33:13; Ps. 65:2; Matt. 7:7; Luke 18:7–8), and judging the wicked (Pss. 7:12–13; 11:6).72

An important distinction in studying God’s providence is between his general providence and his special/specific providence. God’s general providence involves his control of the whole universe (Ps. 103:19; Dan. 2:31–45; Eph. 1:11). His special/specific providence encompasses his control of the details of the universe, including the details of history (Acts 2:23) and the details in the lives of individual people, especially the elect (Eph. 1:3–12). Some, such as open theists, are willing to concede that God has general providence but deny that he has specific providence in the lives of people. However, Romans 8:28–30 and Ephesians 1:1–12 show that God’s control does extend to the lives of people, particularly his elect.

Caution concerning “Laws of Nature”

Before looking at the major components of God’s works of providence, it is important to note that the “laws of nature” are not rules that God is bound to follow. Rather, the laws of nature are what people have perceived to be the normal principles and processes of the universe. Since the Enlightenment of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many have denied the possibility of miracles because miracles violate the laws of nature. In response to such arguments, Scripture teaches that God is the Creator, ruler, and sustainer of nature. The laws of nature are the normal ways in which he upholds the universe. However, these laws are under God’s sovereign control, so he has the right and the power to suspend them in working miracles. Since God is a God of order, his operation of the universe has regularity. But the laws of nature should not be regarded as independent of God and closing the universe to his interference. Rather, they should be viewed as the personal means that God ordained to normally operate the universe. And the laws of nature should not be seen as inviolate when producing the same effects in all conditions. Rather, they should be viewed as God’s normal way of producing effects in the universe, although God often uses them in differing combinations, resulting in various effects. Thus, one “law” usually does not function by itself; rather, God employs multiple circumstances, combining different “laws” as he sees fit.

Divine Preservation of the Universe73

The first major aspect of God’s providence is his preservation of the universe. This preservation is the triune God’s ever-active work through God the Son in maintaining the things he created with all the characteristics and dynamics he gave them.

God the Son ever “upholds [Gk. pherō, ‘actively carries’] the universe by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3). In Christ, “all things hold together [Gk. synistēmi, ‘stand together’]” (Col. 1:17). The apostle Paul said that in God we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). And Peter said that “the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Pet. 3:7). God revealed that he sustains the breath of people and animals, and if he would “gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust” (Job 34:14–15). And when God takes away the breath of animals, “they die and return to their dust” (Ps. 104:29).

God preserves all things according to their own properties as long as he wills them to exist. God preserves what he created; he does not create new atoms, molecules, and energy. God preserves the dynamics of nature in relative stability and predictability, so that science and technology are possible. But God always retains the sovereign right to suspend or end the normal processes of nature. In the future, he will give his people resurrection bodies that will never die, and the current processes of death and decay will no longer exist. The “laws of nature” will be different in the eternal state (Rev. 21:1–22:5).

Divine Concurrence in All Events74

The second major aspect of God’s providence is his concurrence in all events. God’s concurrence is his operation with created things, causing them (whether acting directly or ordaining them through secondary causes), through their properties, to act.

Examples in Scripture abound. Joseph said that God, not his brothers, sent him to Egypt (Gen. 45:5–8). The Lord (Yahweh) said that he would be with Moses’s mouth to enable him to speak for God (Ex. 4:11–12). The Lord promised to deliver the enemies to Joshua and the people of Israel—the Israelites still had to attack, but the Lord gave them a great victory (Josh. 11:6). God turns a king’s heart to do as God wills (Prov. 21:1), and the Lord turned the heart of the king of Assyria to help the people in building the temple (Ezra 6:22). The Lord gave the people of Israel the ability to acquire wealth (Deut. 8:18). God works in believers “to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). God has ordered evil acts, such as when he moved Shimei to curse David (2 Sam. 16:11). He used Assyria to chastise his people (Isa. 10:5). He “put” a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab’s prophets (1 Kings 22:23).

God’s concurrence in all events does not implicate him in sin. Men sin according to God’s predetermination in his decree but by secondary causes, so God does not directly and effectively cause the acts of sin (Gen. 45:5–8; 50:19–20; Ex. 10:1, 20; 2 Sam. 16:10–11; Isa. 10:5–7; Acts 2:23; 4:27–28). Also, God often restrains sin (Job 1:12; 2:6) or turns an evil act so it has good effects (Gen. 50:20; Ps. 76:10; Acts 3:13).

God’s use of second causes (indirect causes) helps explain his concurrence in events. The dynamics of nature do not function by themselves, but God provides their energy in every act (contra deism). Second causes are real, not identical to God’s power, or else there is no concurrence of the First Cause (God) with second causes (created things). God does more than simply give the energy to second causes to do something; he directs the actions of second causes to his intended end. In this way, God, not man, is in control. Of course, God can also work by direct causation if he so chooses.

This concurrence is not a cooperative synergism, which would involve partial participation by both God and man. Rather, both are entirely engaged in causing this action. God’s will is ultimately behind the act, and he provides energy. But man as the second cause initiates the action in time, in response to God’s direct causation or in response to man’s own desires as stimulated by circumstances. The concurrence is initiated by God, and he has the priority in the action, or else man would be independently sovereign in his actions. God’s concurrence is logically prior to human action and predetermines everything outside God. The arrangement is never that man initiates an act and that God joins in after the initiation. God provides not energy in general but actual energy to do specific acts in his decree.

God’s concurrence is also simultaneous. Man never works independently of God in anything. God always accompanies man with his (God’s) effectual will, yet without coercing man to violate his nature in any act. There is a simultaneous working, and the act is the product of both causes (God and man), though in different ways. As Berkhof describes it, “This divine activity accompanies the action of man at every point, but without robbing man in any way of his freedom. The action remains the free act of man, an act for which he is held responsible.”75

Divine Governance of All Things to Preordained Ends

The third major aspect of God’s providence in and over the universe is his divine governance of all things. This governance involves God’s continual active rule over all things so that, through them, he will accomplish his ultimate purpose of glorifying himself.

God governs as King of the universe.76 The Bible’s main theme is the glorious reign of the triune God, so its central point is the kingdom of God over all creation. God ever retains and exercises sovereign rule in and over all matters in the universe. God is King as well as Father (Matt. 11:25; Acts 17:24; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15; Rev. 1:6; 19:6).

God adapts his governance to the nature of the creatures. He ordinarily governs the physical realm by his laws of nature and the mind through the properties of the mind. God mediately governs humans in their moral choices by “moral influences, such as circumstances, motives, instruction, persuasion, and example,” and also through direct divine operation by the Holy Spirit in their inner nature.77

God’s governance extends over all his works—past, present, and future (Pss. 22:28–29; 103:17–19; Dan. 4:34–35; 1 Tim. 6:15). It is detailed, even over the smallest things (Matt. 10:29–31), over things that might commonly be ascribed to chance (Prov. 16:33), and over good and evil acts of men (Phil. 2:13; Acts 14:16). God is the King of Israel who will save and restore his people (Isa. 33:22), and he is King over all nations, having ultimate authority over all the earth (Psalm 47).

There are 2 critical ideas you need to understand concerning providence: Preservation and Direction (government).

1) Preservation

Col 1:15-20 (vs 17)

Hebrews 1:3 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.

Nehemiah 9:6 "You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

No part of God’s creation is self-sufficient. Everything owes its continuing existence to the will of God. The idea that God’s work ended at creation was rejected by Jesus:

John 5:17

Now as God is in the business of preserving His creation, some have taken this to mean that He is continually creating—more and more.

Exodus 20:11 "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day;

Providence involves preservation of His creation. This is seen specifically in the nation of Israel and lives of His people.

Joseph

Gen 50:20

You remember all that happened to Joseph…started actually back in ch 35—Joseph and his ½ brothers (born to different women of course)…Ch 37:3 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons” so he gave him the multicolored robe (symbol of favoritism). His brothers hated him.

Then Joseph begins to have dreams and he told them to his brothers and basically told them he was going to rule over them.

So they hatch a plot to kill him, but Reuben told them to throw him into a pit. They eventually sold him to the Ishmaelites and Joseph ends up in Egypt as a slave in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar saw him as an able man and gives him authority over the affairs of the home and his wife takes notice and false accuses him of raping her.

He ends up in jail where he interprets the dream of the baker and cup bearer uncovering the plot to poison Pharaoh. And when a couple years later Pharaoh has a dream, he learns of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. Joseph interprets the dreams about the coming 7 years of great abundance and 7 years of severe famine. Joseph wisely

In all of this, Pharaoh sees in Joseph a trusted man and gives him all authority in Egypt under himself. Joseph is reunited with his brothers b/c of the famine and their need to feed their families.

The bottom line, Joseph was compassionate toward his family and they survive b/c of God’s preservation. His preservation didn’t stop there…Exodus, Daniel…

Mt 6:26-32

Jesus teaches God’s preservation and inseparability of God’s children from His love and keeping.

Mt 10:28-32

Now if you don’t believe in the sovereign preservation of God, what do you do when tragedy happens? On what do you lean? Are you thrown into a spiritual tailspin? God’s preservation of the universe flows from His absolute sovereign control of His creation. The truth that all that happens to us is within the will of God (broadly speaking) is of great comfort to Xns.

2) Direction (government)

The idea of government has to do with the end of all things. Providence (definition) He is direction all things to their intended purpose. If God is indeed preserving His creation, it follows that He does so in order that all events in the universe fulfills His plan for the universe.

God is directing all things (flow of history) toward a certain conclusion.

Heb 1:3 “upholds” lit. “to carry, bear.” The image you might get is that of Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders—that’s the idea of JC & His universe.

What is that ultimate end or goal? As you read Scripture you understand that everything is heading to His kingdom and the eternal state—ultimately displaying His glory to all His creation. God preserves, directs, saves, blesses—to bring Him glory.

1 Tim 1:17

He is the eternal King…King of the ages…forever and ever...this is about divine government of His universe—directing it to then end He has in mind.

How does this work?

· He controls nature

Psalm 135:5-7 For I know that the LORD is great, And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain; Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.”

Jesus demonstrates power over nature:

Luke 8:25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"

· Directs Animal Creation

Ps 104:21-29 they carry out his will

· Directs Human history & Course of nations

Dan 2:21; 4:24-25; Isa 10:5-12; Acts 17:26

· Controls circumstances in the lives of Individuals

Hannah, David…even “accidental” occurrences in life

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Jonah 1:7 And each man said to his mate, "Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us." So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

Go is directing all things…even the free & sinful actions of humans are under the providential direction of God. This has become one of the biggest objections to the truth of God’s providence… “how can God’s absolute control be reconciled with liberty of His creatures?”

God’s providence does not negate the moral accountability man has for the decisions he makes.

Thinking especially about sin…How is our sin governed (directed) by God?

NOTE: God is not cause of sin.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

God does not cause sin…but He governs it by:

Preventing, permitting, directing and limiting sin.

· Preventing Sin—sometimes God chooses to prevent sin from occurring. Do you remember Abraham and Sarah? They were travelling toward the Negev (after Sodom & Gomorrah). He told king Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. God told the king in a dream who Sarah was.

Genesis 20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

· Permitting Sin: sometimes God does not prevent but permits sin though when we choose to sin it is not what He wishes.

Acts 14:16; Rom 1:24,26,28

Matthew 19:8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.

· Directs Sin: God can direct sin so that good comes from it—Joseph is the great example of that.

Acts 2:23

· Limit Sin: God will retrain the extent or effect of what evil men and Satan can do…Job

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

God does not cause sin…But He can and does govern it and basically says, “If you do sin...it will be according to my rules.”

All things are being direct by God to the end which amounts to His glory and our good. One old commentator:

We need not go beyond ourselves since our body is the receptacle of a thousand diseases; in fact, it holds within itself and fosters the causes of diseases. A man cannot go about unburdened by many forms of his own destruction, and without drawing out a life enveloped as it were with death. For what else would you call it when he neither freezes nor sweats without danger? Now, wherever you turn, all things around you are not only hardly to be trusted, but almost openly menace and seem to threaten immediate death. Embark upon a ship, you are one step away from death. Mount a horse, if one foot slips, your life is in peril. Go through the city streets, you are subject to as many dangers are there are tiles on the roof. Enter an airplane, and you’re subject to hijacking. If there is a weapon in your hand or friend’s, harm awaits. All the fierce animals you see are armed for your destruction, but if you try to shut yourself in a walled garden, seemingly delightful, there a serpent sometimes lies hidden. Your house, continually in danger of fire and other animals, threatens in the daytime to impoverish you; at night even to collapse upon you. Your fields stand exposed to hail, frost, drought and other calamities, threatens you with barrenness and hence famine. I pass over poisonings, ambushes, robberies, open violence which in part besiege us and our home, in part dog us abroad. Amid these tribulations, must not man be most miserable? Since, but half-alive in life, he weekly draws his anxious and languid breath as if he had a sword perpetually hanging over his neck. You will say, these events rarely happen or at least not all the time, nor to all men and never all at once. I agree. But since we are warned by the examples of others that these can also happen to ourselves, and that our life ought not to be any more accepted than theirs, we cannot be but frightened and terrified as if such events were about to happen to us.

Psalm 31:14-15 But as for me, I trust in Thee, O LORD, I say, "Thou art my God." My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

God preserves His creation and guides it to His intended purposes for creation ultimately to the praise of His glory. It is comforting to know the experiences of life, God does preserve and that He is in control of the affairs of this world.