PROVIDENCE

Last Sunday in our study on the Old Testament, the concept of God’s providence was discussed. I mentioned that if you wanted me to give you a complete detailed understanding of providence, you would be disappointed. However, I would like to take some time to study this topic and see what we can understand about it.

 

Humans tend to be creatures of extremes. This is true in the area of divine providence. Some teach that God, if He does exist, has no contact with humanity. He created, and then took a hands off approach. This is known as deism. Others allege that every act of God is a miracle. They see a miracle in almost everything. Both of these philosophies miss the target. God is involved in our lives, but not miraculously. God works in our lives through the process we call providence.

 

Providence Defined

 

Our word “providence” comes from the Latin word which signifies “foresight.” Providence is accomplished through law. In miracles, the Lord operates independent of law. In providence, God works through His own laws to accomplish His purpose. He respects man’s freedom of choice and will never overpower that in his providential activity. Providence is a process we cannot understand from our limited minds; we simply accept it because of our faith in the Bible.

 

Perhaps the following will help illustrate the difference between the miraculous and the providential. When Mary, a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), gave birth to Jesus, such was affected by means of miraculous power (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:30-37). Mary conceived a child while still a virgin. On the other hand, when Hannah of Old Testament fame prayed for a son, the Lord heard her prayer and answered it. He did so, however, providentially; she conceived only after her husband “knew her” [a biblical euphemism for sexual union); ultimately Samuel was born (1 Samuel 1:19-20).

 

Another example is found in the 37^th chapter of Isaiah concerning the Assyrians. The Assyrian army was threatening Jerusalem. In one night, God supernaturally destroyed 185,000 enemy soldiers in a single night (Isaiah 37:36). However, Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, was dealt with in a different fashion. Jehovah caused him to “hear tidings” that prompted his return to Assyria (Isaiah 37:7). There, in accordance with divine prophecy, he was killed by the hands of his own sons (Isaiah 37:37-38). Unquestionably, providence was implemented! In each instance, Heaven was guiding certain events.

This study will continue on the next few issues as we try to gain a better understanding of divine providence.

--Lamar