A God of Providence
These words on a fridge magnet caught my attention.
Sometimes in life events can seem frustrating. Things appear to go against us or events work out different to how we think they should. Maybe we just begin to save some money and then something breaks and needs repairing or replacing or maybe we have disappointments to deal with. What is our reaction to these things and do we learn anything from them?
Do we know who it is that orders all things? Have we any knowledge of Him whose universe this is in which we live?
God who created all things in this universe in 6 - 24hour days by the power of His Word has maintained all things until now and will do so until the end of time. All things are fulfilling His will and accomplishing His purposes and we and all we have is subject to Him. But who truly knows it?
The king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar in a time of great prosperity and being very proud of his achievements was brought to nothing in a moment through mental affliction, this lasted 7 years during which he was removed from the throne. To quote his words - ‘And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his Kingdom is from generation to generation:’ Daniel ch4 v34. He goes on to say ‘....he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?’. V35
Do we say at times ‘What doest thou?’ by doing so we show our sinfulness and rebellion in questioning God’s authority and wisdom. Sadly, sometimes those who know and love God question His love for them when He denies things or alters their plans – they have lost sight of what Paul writes ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ Romans ch8 v32.
How can we question His love? What is denied or taken is surely not necessary for the future steps of our pathway. What on the other hand is given must be needful for us and together with supplies of grace and faith we will find ‘all things work together for good to them that love God,...’ Romans ch8 v28
Paul writing to the Philippians and thanking them for the gift sent to him by the hand of their Pastor Epaphroditus writes ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ Philippians ch4 v19. Paul encouraged them to continue to give of their goods to those that were in need knowing that God would supply all their needs.
May the Lord teach us what things we really need and give us grace to accept it!