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Here are some verses and categories for God’s “meticulous providence” that my pastor gave this past week.
Though God’s “comprehensive sovereignty” is sometimes questioned (because of questions of how this coincides with human responsibility or God’s goodness) these verses seem quite clear and should drive us to worship.
God’s providence is an expression of his unlimited and unhindered power:
The Lord does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths. - Ps 135:6
Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. - Ps 115:3
The Lord does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths. - Ps 135:6
Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. - Ps 115:3
God’s providence is expressed in the natural world:
The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God - Ps 104:21
God causes grass to grow on the hills - Ps 147:8
The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God - Ps 104:21
God causes grass to grow on the hills - Ps 147:8
God’s providence is expressed in the geographic location where we live and the historical time when we live:
God has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live - Acts 17:26
God has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live - Acts 17:26
God’s providence is expressed in big things—such as the direction of world leader’s decision making:
A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses. - Prov 21:1
A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses. - Prov 21:1
God’s providence is expressed in small things—such as the various plans individuals make:
A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. - Prov 16:9
A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. - Prov 16:9
God’s providence is expressed in good things—like rainy days and sunshine for everyone:
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matt 5:45
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matt 5:45
Most controversially, God’s providence is expressed in the midst of calamitous things:
I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster; I am the Lord, who does all these things. Isa 45:6-7
I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster; I am the Lord, who does all these things. Isa 45:6-7
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it. Is it not from the mouth of the most High that both good and ill go forth. Lam 3:37–38
Consider the work of God. Who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Eccl 7:13-14
Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it? - Amos 3:6
God’s providence is expressed in people turning to Christ:
No one can come to me unless the one who sent me draws them. - John 6:44
The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. – Acts 16
No one can come to me unless the one who sent me draws them. - John 6:44
The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. – Acts 16
Put all these texts and many more together we can say with Paul in Ephesians 1:11:
God works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of his will.
God works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of his will.
