Webster defines “providence” as divine guidance or care; the power of God as
demonstrated in sustaining and guiding human destiny. Unlike the Deists, who believe that God
created the universe but does not intervene in human affairs, Christians recognize the profound
truth implicit in Jesus’ promise to his followers, “and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end
of the world,” (Mt. 28:20). That promise must involve more than an inconsequential
accompaniment, else it has no significance or purpose. It must mean that Jesus is “with” us in the
sense of comforting, guiding and protecting us. The context of the promise allows for no other
meaning.
With the benefit of hindsight, we can see the providence of God carried out in the life of
Joseph and his family, (Gen. 37-50). The Bible confirms God’s providential care in the following
words: “Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man,” (Gen. 39:2). Here again, as in
our Lord’s promise to his disciples, the concept of being “with” Joseph meant more than an
inconsequential and detached presence. It meant that God was actively working in the life of
Joseph, and in the events surrounding him, in order to accomplish His will. Joseph himself
recognized and affirmed to his brothers the providence of God in the following words: “And now
be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you
to preserve life,” (Gen. 45:5). Further, Joseph clearly articulated to his brothers God’s operational
providence after all of the relevant events had transpired: “And as for you, ye meant evil against
me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive,” (Gen.
50:20). Joseph recognized that God had used the events in the lives of him and his brothers in order
to bring about God’s will. In hindsight he could see the providence of God in operation.
From these passages we learn not only the reality of God’s providence, but the impossibility
of predicting it in detail, or of tracing it accurately until after the fact. It is folly to say that this or
that event will be providential, for until the relevant events have unfolded, God’s providential ways
cannot be known. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how
unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!” (Rom. 11:33). Gods “wisdom and
knowledge” far surpass that of man. Only a God of such immense power and omniscience could
exercise such providential care.
A providential God must therefore be able to know the future, and have the power to
influence events in order to bring it about. And indeed, that is how Isaiah quotes God Himself,
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is
none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet
done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” (Is. 46:9-10). God knew the
future of His prophet Jeremiah even before he was born, and set his life apart for that purpose:
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I
sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations,” (Jer. 1:5). God not only knew
Jeremiah before he was born, but arranged to advance His purpose through his life. Today, we
have God’s assurance that He directs lives and events to bring about His purpose. “And we know
that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according
to his purpose,” (Rom. 8:28). He has not created man just to abandon him or to leave him alone—
on his own.
In light of all of this, a good question we should each ponder is: Am I cooperating with
God or fighting against His purpose for my life? If we truly believe and trust in God, we can rest
assured that He knows what’s best for our lives. Putting his inspired word into practice daily,
praying that we will carefully follow Him, and earnestly remaining faithful will ensure that we
cooperate with and benefit from the providence of God.
Providence
