Dennis Newkirk, Elder/Lead Pastor ...... August 27/28, 2016

Amazing Providence and Your Life Today

Providence, according to the Westminster Confession of Faith, refers to the fact that, “God has not abandoned the world that he created, but rather works within that creation to manage all things according to ‘the immutable counsel of his will.’”

Jerry Bridges defines providence as “God’s constant care for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people.”

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV)
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

  1. The providence of God is a truth that is impossible to fully comprehend.
  2. But there is a special struggle with providence.
  3. God controls everything.
  4. Nothing happens outside of his control.

Lamentations 3:38 (ESV)
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?

Matthew 10:29 (ESV)
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

James 4:15 (ESV)
15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

  1. He guides all things to accomplish his will.

Romans 8:28–29 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

  1. Does that mean that he controls bad things that happen?

Genesis 50:15–20 (ESV)
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

  1. God is working around you constantly.

So what does this mean to you as a Christian?

  1. Remember that you are not alone.
  2. Have confidence that God will lead you for your good even if you don’t understand it.

Ruth 2:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3 So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

  1. Think through what is happening in painful times of your life.

Application:

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.