Ephesians 1:11“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
I was talking to a small church group of men witnessing outside the Vons Supermarket yesterday, and they told me that their emphasis was not merely in getting the gospel message out to a lost and dying world, but also, on knowing and experiencing God beyond a surface level for a meaningful and purposeful life (spiritually, mentally, relationally and physically) in both knowledge of truth and devoted daily application. The May issue of Dr. McGee’s newsletter speaks to the truth of the providence of God. If there’s one thing that the Word of God teaches, it’s that God is in control. Of the universe. Of the history of mankind. Of individual lives. The Lord is sovereignly ordering all history that happens whether we acknowledge God’s hand or not. God doesn’t have to report to anyone concerning His conduct. He runs the universe and runs it His own way. McGee explains that “Creation” explains the origin of the universe. Preservation explains how it continues. Providence explains how God directs all things – animate and inanimate, seen and unseen, good and evil – all towards a worthy purpose. Providence is God’s glory on display and the ultimate fulfillment of His purposes.
The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “providence” as: the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence, but deny a particular providence, not considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God himself. McGee states that providence is Almighty God at the steering wheel. Providence means that God is behind the scenes, shifting and directing the happenings of the world. Providence is god’s hand in the course of natural and human events. He is there is the shadows, keeping watch over His own.
The word providence means “to provide”. Jehovah-Jireh - God will provide. Providence means that God is in back of His creation today, in back of the human race, in back of those who are His own by redemption. God is giving men and women direction in the world today. The entire sequence of events sounds like luck, but it is God directing the plot. You can trace a bright thread of redemption all the way through history – even all the way through the Word of God. If you look closely, you’ll see God’s thread of redemption in your life too.
Blessed by providence.
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