““Providence”Providence” To provide; to foresee, foresight, forethoughtTo provide; to foresee, foresight, forethought

Used in reference to the providence of man in Used in reference to the providence of man in Acts 24:2Acts 24:2

When referring to the acts of God, it involves When referring to the acts of God, it involves divine foresight, care, guardianship, divine foresight, care, guardianship, supervision, and control through natural means supervision, and control through natural means toward a future goaltoward a future goal

God will provide for our needs as he works his God will provide for our needs as he works his divine purpose in human historydivine purpose in human history

Types of Divine ProvidenceTypes of Divine Providence

General ProvidenceGeneral Providence– Care and supervision of God over the created Care and supervision of God over the created

universe (Col. 1:16-17; Matt. 6:26; Job 12:23)universe (Col. 1:16-17; Matt. 6:26; Job 12:23)

Special ProvidenceSpecial Providence– Specific care of God on behalf of those who are Specific care of God on behalf of those who are

his people (1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 6:33)his people (1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 6:33)

Bible Examples of Divine Bible Examples of Divine ProvidenceProvidence

JosephJoseph– Eventually recognized God’s providential work Eventually recognized God’s providential work

in placing him as ruler in Egypt (Gen. 45:4-5)in placing him as ruler in Egypt (Gen. 45:4-5)

EstherEsther– Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, believed that God’s Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, believed that God’s

providence would prevail for good, and that providence would prevail for good, and that Esther could help (Esther 4:13-14)Esther could help (Esther 4:13-14)

Important PrinciplesImportant Principles1.1. Man in the natural realm is subject to all Man in the natural realm is subject to all

natural laws and consequencesnatural laws and consequences

2.2. God is able to influence free moral beings God is able to influence free moral beings without interfering with their free choicewithout interfering with their free choice

3.3. God can, and will, act according to his will God can, and will, act according to his will in answer to the prayer of the faithfulin answer to the prayer of the faithful

4.4. Providence deals ultimately with the Providence deals ultimately with the spiritual goals of God’s eternal purposespiritual goals of God’s eternal purpose

False IdeasFalse Ideas

1.1. Everything that happens is totally Everything that happens is totally predestined and controlled by Godpredestined and controlled by God

2.2. If a tragedy happens, it is because If a tragedy happens, it is because God is delivering punishmentGod is delivering punishment

3.3. God is responsible for every bad God is responsible for every bad choice or event in one’s lifechoice or event in one’s life

4.4. Useless to pray for safety or health if Useless to pray for safety or health if tragedies do, and will, occurtragedies do, and will, occur

The Christian’s Response to The Christian’s Response to Divine ProvidenceDivine Providence

Filled with adoration and reverenceFilled with adoration and reverence

Exhibit humility in daily businessExhibit humility in daily business

Freedom from pressure, fear, and worryFreedom from pressure, fear, and worry

Trust God in all thingsTrust God in all things

Daily choices have very real Daily choices have very real consequencesconsequences