What a comfort the doctrine of divine providence is to the believer! Of course it is more than a doctrine. It is a reality of which the Christian is often aware and for which he is truly thankful. We are tiny specks in a vast universe and yet we are not alone and not insignificant. The God who made all things did so for a reason. He determined to display His glory in the creation and that chiefly among mankind. Out of the ranks of sinful men He would take a people for His own name, that He might dwell with them and be their God forever. They would enjoy this great blessing first in this fallen world and then in the perfect world that is yet to come.
Everything necessary to realise this glorious outcome is covered by the idea of God’s providence. We believe in a Creator who has not abandoned His original handywork, leaving it to take care of itself but is closely involved in every detail of what occurs within it. He is more than a mere bystander or an interested observer, found somewhere on the circumference. God is at the centre of everything that takes place for “of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Rom.11:36).
Providence extends to every created thing, visible and invisible. Having received their being from God all things are now preserved by Him, even through His Son who is “upholding all things by the word of his power” (Heb.1:3). Every form of life, great or small, is provided for by God. “These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season” (Psa.104:27). The apostle Paul summed up man’s dependence upon God in this way: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
What God has made and upholds He also governs. This authority extends to every action of every creature. With respect to man it includes our thoughts and words as well as our deeds. God being what He is His essential kingdom embraces the whole of creation and so the Psalmist declares: “The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all” (Psa.103:19). While it is universal in its reach divine providence has a special reference to the Lord’s cause in this world. How is this seen in the church?
Providence is purposeful. It has its aim. God has purposed salvation and He is working to that end. For this reason He sent His beloved Son into the world to purchase redemption for sinners and for the same reason Christ sends His Holy Spirit into their hearts to apply that redemption to them. The church must be gathered by the gospel. How often the events that come to pass upon the earth seem to us to be without rhyme or reason but we are finite in our vision and moreover our understanding is clouded by sin. This is true even of the best of believers. Often the Lord has to say to us what He said to the disciples in the upper room when He washed their feet: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7).
Providence is particular. It has its aim for God’s people. Jesus taught the disciples how intimately God cared for them by pointing them to the birds of the air. The birds are preserved by God and so are His people: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt.10:29,30). The birds are provided for by God and so are His people: “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” (Luke 12:24). If God takes such care of our bodies then how much more does He take care of our souls! He has provided us with “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph.1:3). He is preserving us unto eternal life for we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed at the last time” (1Pet.1:5).
Providence is powerful. It always accomplishes its aim for God’s people. God having from all eternity settled upon His purpose He means to fulfil it. He says: “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isa.46:10). King Nebuchadnezzar learned the folly of opposing God’s purpose when as a result he was driven from among men and dwelt for a time among the beasts of the field. When his reason returned to him he freely acknowledged that the Lord “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan.4:35).
Have we been taught these lessons? If we are the Lord’s then we may be sure that step by step through all our varied experiences God is achieving His purpose to give us an expected end. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom.8:28).
“Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me:
And in God’s house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.”
