Providence Defined: It’s About God Providing
A high school student gets accepted into a top college. A good friend lands her dream job. A husband finds his wife’s long lost wedding ring. A childless couple, after years of frustration and disappointment is able to adopt a beautiful, healthy baby. How do you explain it?
We all try to make sense of things that happen to us that we don’t understand. When something good happens we often credit the person it happens to saying it was because of hard work. But that doesn’t really explain it. Often things are completely beyond one’s control. Many are quick to say it was luck or chance. But there is no such thing. The explanation is found in God.
It’s God who provides every good thing in life James 1:17. Here is a definition of providence.
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Don’t read over this too quickly.
Think about one good thing that’s happened to you that you can’t explain. A coincidental meeting. Winning a raffle. Light traffic and hitting green lights when you were running late.
It was God who brought it about. Every time.
Providence Explains Good Fortune
The first example of providence in the Bible is in Genesis 22, the story of God testing Abraham’s faith. When Abraham passed the test he found a ram for the burnt offering stuck in a bush Genesis 22:13. How did Abraham react? Did he say, “Wow, I’m lucky! I’d better go out and buy a lottery ticket today!” No, here’s what he said.
So Abraham called the name of that place,“The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14
About 15 years ago I was in a car accident and our car was totaled. I was about 10 miles from home and we were a one-car family. Actually, at that moment we were a no-car family. As I stood on the sidewalk wondering about how I was going to get home I heard someone call my name. I turned around and a woman from my church was in the parking lot behind me. After I explained what happened she said, “Will you drive my car home for me? I have a dentist appointment and will be taking medication so I can’t drive. My husband is picking me up and we were going to leave the car here.” I reminded her I just totaled our car but she was unfazed. Not only did I drive their car home, they lent it to us for a month, until we were able to get another car. Chance? Luck? No way! It was God’s providence she was there at that moment!
Providence Gives God Credit
One of the most quoted verses in the Bible, Romans 8:28, explains that God is behind all the good that happens.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
It’s God who works all things together for good.
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How have you seen God’s providence in your life? Please leave a question or comment below.
