Providence

Providence

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” Ro. 8:28

    Verses like the one quoted above always challenge me.  The writer, (here being Paul), obviously presumes a certain degree of spiritual understanding on the part of believers. He establishes this by his saying “and we know”. He presumes that we, like him, understand these things.  But do we know?  Do we understand and therefore believe what he is saying here?    As he writes in his letter to the Corinthians, “let a man examine himself” or “search his heart” to see if those things Paul next declares are things he or she truly lives by.

Paul assumes that the sincere believer recognizes that as long as they walk in the love of Christ, that regardless of the situation of this world or of their own lives, that they can trust in God’s providence.  Providence, in its most basic interpretation means “the protective care of God”. It is a recognition that in His role as a heavenly Father, God watches over the wellbeing of His children.

Usage of the word “providence” has significantly diminished over the past two centuries, especially in the western world.  Where society in the past often spoke of providence regarding both God’s care for the individual and His care for those nations who revere His name, today it has become a seldom used terminology.  The reason for this can be attributed to several things. Over the past two centuries “deism” has discretely slipped into the western religious philosophy. Deism recognizes the existence of God, but then rejects His participation in the lives of men today.  Secularism and naturalism have also contributed to this reduced recognition as they attribute the daily “comings and goings” of life in this world to nature and science. Both modern language and literature confirm providence's diminishing recognition. Further evidence of this is the realization that the neglect of providence has even sadly made its way into the belief systems of many Christians.

The Psalmist recognized God’s providence in the lives of the faithful saying “The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming & going both now and forevermore” (Ps121).   Solomon also acknowledged the reality of God’s providence over all the activities of our lives writing “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths” (Pr3).  We see this same understanding (remember “we know this”) in the New Testament promise that He shall “supply all your needs” (Php4). Jesus used the example of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and how the Father takes care of them to convey His providential care saying “if God so clothes the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you” (Mt6). 

Although God does promise to “provide all our needs” and watch over our “comings and goings” in this life, He also has an agenda for us that is more focused upon our eternal wellbeing than our temporal comforts. Because of this, it is not seldom that the events of our lives do not always go according to what we think is “good”. He does not say “all things work for the good for those who love Him” meaning every situation will produce success and prosperity, He says “all things work together for the good for those who love Him”. This means that for those who truly love Him, even the trials and tribulations in this life are working together, with all the other events of our lives, to bring that which is eternally profitable. Those who truly love Him and value eternal life can accept this, recognizing their trials are “producing” good things in their quest for spiritual life.  Accepting the downs along with the ups in life is what faith in the providence of God is all about.  He loves you, He knows what’s best for you, He is “working all things together for the good for those who love Him”.

Believing and then accepting the providence of God is a true test of our faith each day. The three Hebrew captives in the book of Daniel displayed this faith when they testified that whether God delivered them from the furnace or not, He was still God.  Paul and Silas revealed that they understood this when they continued singing and praising the Lord even after they had been beaten and imprisoned. It is not the way of faith to worry about and be anxious with life’s daily ups and downs, it is the way of the faithless world.

To see God as His word promises, a God of providential care, we must as the verse that follows says “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear” (Mt.6). Remember this next time when you are anxious about the events of your life that are not going as you had hoped. Remind yourself that you can cast “all your cares” upon Him, and in “all your ways” acknowledge Him, because as a loving Father He is watching over you and working out that which is best eternally for you. Remember, Paul began this admonition with “and we know that God is working all things together for the good for those who love Him”.  Don’t be anxious and worry as “the gentiles” do, live each day like you believe your heavenly Father truly cares for you and maintains His “providence” over your life!  Remember that in HIs providencial care He is watching over all the comings and goings in your life. Remeber He does this because as a loving Father, He cares for you!