God’s Providence

I have always found the providence of God intriguing, to say the least. Listen to the clear opinion of one New Testament writer, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me.

You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it” (Phil 4:10).

A person might ask, who is writing this anyway? Some farmer after a bountiful harvest? A businessman whose annual income exceeds that of his colleagues? Could it be Some young guy ready to depart on a new and exciting adventure? Never!

If you can believe this, it was a sixty-something old Jew shackled to a Roman guard under house arrest, not fully knowing if in the next 24 hours he would be killed, brought to trial, or set free.

Are you seeing it? The man is rejoicing. Absent all the comforts of home and with no privacy whatsoever, the old apostle is still joyful. Though he has no idea what tomorrow might bring, he is still able to smile.

Though his movement is now restricted, being forced to do life and ministry in confinement, he is still able to rejoice. No matter his future, Paul was unwilling to become pessimistic in his outlook.

While thinking one day about his own circumstances, Paul remembers that the believers in Philippi had demonstrated love and care for him when he needed it most. Immediately he attributed it all to the hand of God at work in his life. The word for it is “providence.”

To be honest, I feel most inadequate in terms of explaining it. But this I do know; God works on our behalf and ordains certain life events so that everything happens at just the right moment in time. I am referring to the unseen hand of God directing the hearts of men.

The story of Joseph is the best example I can think of. Remember how his brothers sold him into slavery? Pride, envy, and jealousy were their downfall. Then years later, Joseph and his brothers meet again. However, once he had fully identified himself, the brothers became frightened.

But Joseph surprised them by looking at his life from a heavenly perspective. He told them not to fear because of all that happened, for God used these events to save the lives of thousands of people through the preparation that Egypt made for the present-day famine. Joseph summarized his view of things in a straightforward statement: “Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God…” (Genesis 45:8).

Joseph’s story can best be summarized in two brief statements— “you sold me” but “God sent me.” Obviously, the man understood that behind the sinister hand of his brothers was the purposeful hand of his Father God. A God who knows of events before they happen. A God who clearly understands the future because He is the one who works all of life according to His perfect plan. Even when things seem out of control, God is there behind the scenes working on all things according to His purpose.

Someone once said that “life is not a series of accidents but a series of appointments.” So far as the believer is concerned, it is not a matter of chance or coincidence in life. Neither is it a matter of luck. Mordecai said it best: “… Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).