Ephesians 1:11-14 – In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
If a Christian approached you and asked, “What is God’s providence?”, how would you answer? Like the word “Trinity” is not literally in the Bible so is the word “providence.” Yet both unfold throughout the Bible giving us insight on what and how God’s providence works. A classic example is Joseph in the book of Genesis. Read his life story from Genesis 37 through 50. Pay attention to all the strange twists and turns in his life. That is a real-life story of God’s providence, but here is a definition to help us understand God’s sovereignty in action. This is taken from chapter five, of the Baptist Confession under the title, Of Divine Providence. It consists of six paragraphs and supporting scriptures for each. There is much food for the soul in studying the confession. Here are the first three paragraphs:
Paragraph 1. God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created , according unto His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will; to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy (Hebrews 1:3; Job 38:11; Isaiah 46:10-11; Psalm 135:6; Matthew 10:29-31; Ephesians 1:11).
Paragraph 2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence, yet by the same providence He ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently (Acts 2:23; Proverbs 16:22; Genesis 8:22).
Paragraph 3. God, in His ordinary providence maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them at His pleasure (Acts 27:31, 44; Isaiah 55:10-11; Hosea 1:7; Romans 4:19-21; Daniel 3:27).
If we learn to interpret all of life through the always good providence of God, then joy will be consistently in our walks with the Lord. We will learn to see everything unfolding in our lives from God for His glory and our good which prevents the easily committed sin of complaining. May God help us to respond to His providence with conduct and attitudes pleasing to Him.
PRAYER: “Lord, thank You for Your always good providence guiding me through this life.”
QUOTE: “To complain about anyone or anything is an act of rebellion against God’s sovereignty.”