Divine Providence
A Bible Subject
But the only reference in the Bible is not even talking about God (Acts 24:2).

Definitions:
Divine – dealing with God and Deity
Providence – as pertaining to the protection, care, and safety of someone or something.
Divine Providence—God’s protective care.

It is not Divine Intervention, as many want to believe.
Divine Providence is a mystery to so many people.
Both non-believers and believers alike.
While not specifically mentioned in the Bible, the concept is constantly presented in the Bible.
We do not know why some things happen, and when we are perplexed, we assume that somehow God was involved.
As to the exact nature of divine providence, we may be uncertain.
However, while we may not know what the nature of providence is, we can know what the nature of providence is NOT.
It is not direct revelation because God has already completed His divine revelation to mankind:
2 Peter 1:3 (note “has given”—past tense and “all things”—complete without exception),
Jude v. 3 “once for all delivered to the saints”.
Therefore, since all direct divine revelation has been completed, God’s providence today cannot work through this means .
It is not miracles or the miraculous because the Bible teaches that God no longer works through miracles.
The purpose of miracles was to reveal and confirm the word: Mark 16:15-20; Hebrews 2:1-4.
Once the word was revealed and confirmed in its perfection or completeness, the miracles ceased: 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.
Therefore, we must conclude that whatever God’s providence is, it doesn’t manifest itself through miraculous means today.
It isn’t the direct indwelling of the Holy Spirit because God’s providence affects all men, while the indwelling of the Spirit affects only Christians.
The Bible certainly teaches that the Spirit dwells in the Christian: Acts 2:38, 5:32
However, the means by which the Holy Spirit does this, as is true with all of His work, is the written word: Ephesians 6:17.
Therefore, to prove that God’s providence works today doesn’t in any way prove that the Holy Spirit dwells personally in the Christian.
It’s not predestination.
The Bible does teach predestination in the sense that God has predestined a plan by which all those who choose to be in Christ will be saved: Ephesians 1:4-5.
However, the offer of salvation is made to everyone, not just a predestined number, and since we’re free moral agents, we must accept God’s salvation by coming to Him in obedience and faith: Revelation 22:17.
The Bible doesn’t teach that God’s providence so completely controls the lives of people that it alone determines each individual’s eternal destiny.
The providence of God is one of the great themes of the Bible, but does God’s providential will manifest itself today?
We recognize that God doesn’t speak to mankind directly today but indirectly; yet, this doesn’t mean that His providence isn’t working today because providence isn’t the same thing as revelation.
There’s nothing in the Bible to indicate that God’s providence doesn’t work today,
While not necessarily in ways identical to other ages, yet is many ways similar to past.
We can think of God’s providence as existing today in two realms.
The first is in personal affairs—we should recognize that God’s providence influences our individual lives: James 4:13-15.
The Bible also indicates that this divine providence affects all people, not just one class or group.
God’s providential care is certainly upon the righteous: Romans 8:28.
Divine providence not only affects the obedient but also manifests itself in the lives of the disobedient: Matthew 5:45—In other words, the wicked have their day coming.
The second area in which God’s providence works is in world affairs: Daniel 4:32.
This is somewhat disconcerting to us because we see wicked rulers and the suffering of so many in the nations of the world and wonder how God allows that to happen.
The Bible affirms that the power of God in Christ continues to operate in the universe (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3);
We may not always know how things are done, but we can recognize that divine providence still exists and praise our God who still watches over His creation.
Providence is indeed mysterious because much about it isn’t revealed.
And for this reason we must be careful not to speculate concerning things which we don’t fully understand;
Yet, there are certain characteristics of providence which the Bible does reveal and which we can understand.
It is divine—providence belongs only to Deity because only God has the power to bring such things about.
Joseph realized this: Genesis 45:5, 50:19-20.
It is also resolute--because God is omnipotent,
His providential will is such that nothing can prevent Him from effecting His purpose.
Mordecai understood this: Esther 4:14.
Even Gamaliel recognized this: Acts 5:38-39.
And it is righteous—because God is omniscient,
His providential will is always right and just,
Abraham understood this: Genesis 18:20-25.
And based upon the evidence, the answer to Abraham’s question is an unqualified YES!
While we cannot PROVE it from the Bible, there is enough evidence to believe that God does act in ways we cannot say.
God has always provided a means by which His will is accomplished.
Sometimes He uses people to do His will.
Sometimes He used godless nations to execute His will upon those who needed it.
Sometimes He uses nature to express His will Romans 1:20.

Conclusion
We question these things because sometimes our own prayers are unanswered.
The bottom line is the fact that we must believe that God is in control of everything and God is busy taking care of us all the time.
It takes faith on our part to believe in the providence of God.
Just read through the Psalms, and see where God watches out for His faithful ones and provides for them.

By Carey Scott

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