The Providence of God

Introduction: Although the word Providence never appears in God's word, the subject is taught throughout scripture. This word comes from a Latin word meaning “to take thought for, foresee.” A good definition is “that preservation, care, and governance which God exercises over all things that he has created, so that they may accomplish the ends for which they were created.”

The Providence of God includes a general Providence he exercises over the universe and a special Providence which God exercises on behalf of his children. One way the latter is seen is in the biblical doctrine of prayer, a privilege reserved for those in the Body of Christ today.

It is already seen that Providence is opposed to deism, which says that God made the world but never guides or intervenes in it in any way. This is the opposite of fate or chance, which sees everything in the world as just luck or the roll of dice.

1.      How God's Providence operates

a.      God never providentially acts inconsistent with his nature or his word. For instance, since God never tempts men to do evil (James 1:13,14), you could never claim that God providentially influenced someone to do wrong. Similarly, since God's word reveals how a person is saved, one could never say that God’s providence worked so that they could be saved another way.

b.      The Providence of God will never take away man's freedom of choice. God does not force anyone to do good or evil (John 5: 39, 40) but God does use people's choices to accomplish his divine purpose. Everything that happens is not God's Providence. Note the following about pharaoh in Exodus 8:15 and 9:1.

c.      The providential must be distinguished from the miraculous. A miracle is God's working on a plane above that of natural law. Providence is his utilization of natural law. In a miracle, the Lord works directly; in Providence, he operates indirectly, employing his means to accomplish the end. Example- Matthew 8 tells of Jesus and the disciples caught in a terrible storm on the sea of Galilee. He miraculously calmed the storm. Centuries earlier, during a drought in Palestine, Elijah prayed for rain, and God sent it, but he did so by his Providence by using normal means of rain clouds.

d.      God works behind the scenes in providence.  His providential workings are not as clearly seen as His miracles.  One should carefully avoid stating that some particular event was the working of God's Providence. Consider Mordecai's words to Queen Esther in Esther 4: 14 and Paul's words in Philemon 15, 16.  

2.      General Providence

a.      God's general Providence is manifested over the entire world. Christ “upholds all things by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1: 3). Colossians 1:17 says that all things consist in Christ. This means all things are held together or stand together. Scientists have been looking for the great unifying force in nature for years; picture scripture says that it is Jesus.

b.      The Bible declares that God controls the seasons, the sun, and the stars and sends the rains (Acts 14). 

c.      God provides for the animal Kingdom (Psalms 147, Matthew 6).

d.      God's Providence is manifested over the nations of the world (Daniel 2:21; 4:17). 

3.      The special Providence of God

a.      God has promised a special providential care for his special people.

b.      God's people are never alone- “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13: 5 ).

c.      God's people never have to live a life filled with constant fear. “the Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do to me” (Hebrews 13: 6). God cares for us and helps Christians in a way he doesn't help anyone else (Psalms 34:15-17).

d.      Consider the words in one Corinthians 10: 13. What a great comfort.

e.      Consider the words in Romans 8:28- how magnificent.

Conclusion/Invitation:

the biblical doctrine of God's Providence brings courage and hope to all who love God and seek his Kingdom first.

February 13, 2025

Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford

Prepared by Bobby Stafford

The church of Christ at Granby, MO

Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109

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