Providence Introduction

Notice briefly that there are numerous examples in Scripture of those who worked in accord with His will, but not because they intended to do so. Pharaoh accomplished God's will, but not by any desire of his own. Nebuchadnezzar accomplished God's will, but not intentionally. Caiaphas and Pilate accomplished God's will, even though they sought their own ends. The Antichrist, when he comes, will in the end accomplish God's own will, though every fiber of his being seeks to thwart that very will. This is the assurance of victory! Even the devil can only work God's will. He is powerless to truly defy God's plan and purpose.

Each of these examples is an example of particular providence, of God's planning and working to bring about His desired ends, ends that will benefit His chosen people. Each of these examples seems terrible on the surface, and certainly was terrible for those who were in the midst. But, each of these examples was specifically designed to bring about good.

Pharaoh's rebelliousness brought about the establishment of the nation of Israel, and established it most richly. And through the depth of his rebelliousness, Pharaoh served to declare God's greatness throughout Egypt and the surrounding nations. Because Pharaoh had tried to deny God, he showed that God could not be denied.

Nebuchadnezzar's successful war against Israel served God's purpose for Israel. It served as a wake up call to His children, a call to turn from their wickedness. In Daniel's writings, we see that in the end, Nebuchadnezzar was left with no choice but to recognize God as the Supreme Ruler of all things. In a thread we will quite likely follow in a later study, we can see that Nebuchadnezzar was but one part of a plan that covered generations; a plan to bring about the restoration of the Temple, and thus cause God's glory to be declared in undeniable fashion to the lands surrounding Israel.

Caiaphas sought to preserve his power base, and Pilate sought to preserve his own well-being. Together, they conspired to bring about the death of Christ. Yet, in this they sealed the redemption of mankind! Because of their actions, the glory of God spread to unprecedented distances, encompassing all the known world. Because of their actions, the glory of God is known to us today, as well as the mercy of God in choosing to save the nations.

As much wreckage as the Antichrist will cause, as much harm as he will doubtless inflict, in the end he will have done no more than increase God's glory. In the end, all his evil acts will serve to confirm that God is true, that His Word is certain, and that His victory is accomplished. By God's own design, the Antichrist must come, but by God's own design, the Antichrist must also serve God's purpose, and by God's own design, that purpose will be to the good of those who joyfully serve Him.

God's will will be done. We pray that it will be done on earth as it is in heaven - without any hesitation, and with great joy. But His will will be done, whether in that fashion, or begrudgingly. He is all powerful, and His word will not be futile. He will accomplish all His purpose in His creation.

Defining Providence
	Timely care or preparation. The foresight and care of God for His creatures. An event directly caused by the power of God. Done with forethought and foresight, indicating a plan and a purpose. There's no such thing as coincidence. Every creature exercises a degree of providence as they plan to achieve a desired end. But God alone is all-knowing and all-wise, and in Him we find the true Providence, as He governs over all His creation so that all creation will achieve the ends for which they were created. God's Providence is the thread that ties all of history and creation together, uniting everything in His redemptive purpose.
Divisions of Providence
	One approach to understanding providence is to break it down into its subdivisions. The first step is to look at providence as it applies to different parts of creation. Notice that these subdivisions are additive; as one moves higher up the ladder of creation, previous parts of providence are not left behind, but new aspects are added. Natural law - the governing of the physical universe Sustaining work - provision for the living universe Moral government - the rule of rational man Within this highest subdivision of moral government, we can find a second level of subdivision, for there is that part of God's providence which He applies equally to all mankind. Scripture tells us that He brings sun and rain upon both the good and the evil. All the lower levels of His providence are applied without discrimination. This portion of providence is often referred to as general providence, precisely because it is generally applied to everyone. There remains particular providence, the special care He exercises over the good, over those intentionally working in accord with His will. This is the part of Providence that we will spend our time on, because it is the part that is so key to knowing satisfaction in God. And as we saw at the end of our study of the Law, satisfaction is key to combating envy and covetousness, and that in turn is key to the keeping of God's moral Law, the basis of that moral government which is our rule of righteousness.
Providence and Will
	Notice briefly that there are numerous examples in Scripture of those who worked in accord with His will, but not because they intended to do so. Pharaoh accomplished God's will, but not by any desire of his own. Nebuchadnezzar accomplished God's will, but not intentionally. Caiaphas and Pilate accomplished God's will, even though they sought their own ends. The Antichrist, when he comes, will in the end accomplish God's own will, though every fiber of his being seeks to thwart that very will. This is the assurance of victory! Even the devil can only work God's will. He is powerless to truly defy God's plan and purpose. Each of these examples is an example of particular providence, of God's planning and working to bring about His desired ends, ends that will benefit His chosen people. Each of these examples seems terrible on the surface, and certainly was terrible for those who were in the midst. But, each of these examples was specifically designed to bring about good. Pharaoh's rebelliousness brought about the establishment of the nation of Israel, and established it most richly. And through the depth of his rebelliousness, Pharaoh served to declare God's greatness throughout Egypt and the surrounding nations. Because Pharaoh had tried to deny God, he showed that God could not be denied. Nebuchadnezzar's successful war against Israel served God's purpose for Israel. It served as a wake up call to His children, a call to turn from their wickedness. In Daniel's writings, we see that in the end, Nebuchadnezzar was left with no choice but to recognize God as the Supreme Ruler of all things. In a thread we will quite likely follow in a later study, we can see that Nebuchadnezzar was but one part of a plan that covered generations; a plan to bring about the restoration of the Temple, and thus cause God's glory to be declared in undeniable fashion to the lands surrounding Israel. Caiaphas sought to preserve his power base, and Pilate sought to preserve his own well-being. Together, they conspired to bring about the death of Christ. Yet, in this they sealed the redemption of mankind! Because of their actions, the glory of God spread to unprecedented distances, encompassing all the known world. Because of their actions, the glory of God is known to us today, as well as the mercy of God in choosing to save the nations. As much wreckage as the Antichrist will cause, as much harm as he will doubtless inflict, in the end he will have done no more than increase God's glory. In the end, all his evil acts will serve to confirm that God is true, that His Word is certain, and that His victory is accomplished. By God's own design, the Antichrist must come, but by God's own design, the Antichrist must also serve God's purpose, and by God's own design, that purpose will be to the good of those who joyfully serve Him. God's will will be done. We pray that it will be done on earth as it is in heaven - without any hesitation, and with great joy. But His will will be done, whether in that fashion, or begrudgingly. He is all powerful, and His word will not be futile. He will accomplish all His purpose in His creation.
The Key
	I believe that the key to truly internalizing God's providence, truly making it part of who we are, lies in understanding Romans 8:28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I want us to consider the words of this verse, to dig a bit: We know This version of 'knowing' is a form of the word for seeing. It involves the perception of our senses, the knowledge that comes by examination and experience. It is to grasp the force and meaning of a matter, to have proper respect for that which is known. All things Everything that exists. Everything altogether, in every way, and in every respect. Work together To help in the work, to be a partner in labor. To put forth power together with another and thereby assist Good excelling in any respect, to advantage Love *full of affectionate reverence, promptly obedient to, grateful for benefits received.* Called *invited to obtain salvation through Christ* According to *proceeding from faith* Purpose a setting forth, a placing in view. The showbread - exposed before God. A purpose, proposal, or intention Now, let's put it back together again: We perceive the force and meaning of experiencing that God works together with everything in every way and in every respect to bring about what is to the advantage of those who are full of affectionate reverence for Him, who promptly obey His commands and give thanks for all they receive from Him; to those whom He has invited to obtain salvation through Christ, proceeding from faith, to live exposed before God, fulfilling His intentions. Every moment of our lives, we are given opportunities to learn this truth. Every one of us has built up a catalog of life experiences that will show us that God has been working for our good. Every one of us can look back to the time before we acknowledged Him, and see that even there, He was working. Only now, by the work of the Spirit, we understand the force and meaning of His having been so long at work in our lives. Notice, also, what it means to love Him. It means that we are full to overflowing with affectionate reverence for Him. This is holy fear. We should forever be in awe of His power and glory. At the same time, though, how can we not love with utmost affection the One who has turned that power and glory upon us, such that all our circumstances - no matter how painful they are at the time - excel to our advantage! This is prosperity. It doesn't lie in riches and fame, it lies in knowing that all our days are in the hands of One who cares most intimately about every event of our lives, One who has been planning since before we were born to ensure that we are prepared for every eventuality, and that every need is met. We are called and provided for in this magnificent fashion for a reason. We have been invited to salvation. We have been invited to work in His employ, to become harvesters in His fields. We have been called to live exposed before Him: Coram Deo, before His face every moment of our lives. We have been invited to be the showbread in this generation, displaying His glory before the nation by our lives and words. Who knows but what we were called for such a time as this? Who can doubt it? It should be a certainty in our minds that we were indeed called for just such a time. He who made us, made us for the need of the time of our making, and He has ordered the events of our lives so that we can fulfill the purpose He made us for. Indeed, I stand in awe of my Creator! How wonderful, to know we have purpose, to know we have a share in His purpose, to know that His plans are beyond improvement, and can not fail! Thank You, my Lord and Savior!

Providence Introduction
(Ro 8:28)

Defining Providence

Divisions of Providence

Providence and Will

The Key