3 Feb 2013 by Tony Dibble-
The first record in the Bible of “Jehovah Jireh” is in Genesis 22:14. Abraham uses this name for the location where a replacement sacrifice was received from GOD for Isaac. The name means “GOD will see to it” or “GOD will provide”. From this, we slowly learn of GOD’s providence in the Bible.
GOD’s providence is His control of events and things to ensure that they serve His goals. His providence arises from His creation. GOD did not create the world to only sit back and let it run its course. GOD is not “switched off” from the world. Neither is He watching us from a distance. GOD is responsible. What He has created will continue to be supported directly by Him for His Glory. God is actively and totally involved in the world despite the evil that happens. GOD upholds the world. Chance, coincidence or luck has no place in GOD’s system of things. Everything that happens is directed by GOD for His purpose.
However, we must never make the mistake of thinking that GOD is an active party to evil events. GOD is not contaminated by evil acts. Rather, GOD makes good come out of evil. That is GOD’s specialty: to perform good things. Evil is caused by the devil and by his temptation of man. GOD has no part in performing such acts though they happen with His knowledge. He passively lets these acts happen in order to test us and to prove to us what evil is. His role is to ensure that only good arises from evil acts. This is a very basic principle that we must understand in our relationship with GOD. The moment we identify that something evil has arisen, we must seek GOD’s perspective, through prayer and from His Word. We should not grumble, find fault or curse the situation. We need spiritual eyes to see beyond the physical circumstances. Human wisdom alone would be inadequate.
Man, the devil and sin may at times, appear to have their own complete control of circumstances. This perspective is incorrect. When Adam and Eve sinned, there was no final cut off from GOD. The devil appeared (only appeared, mind you) to have ruined GOD’s plan in creating man. As a Perfect GOD, sin was unacceptable to Him. But as a loving GOD, He would redeem mankind. So God descended to earth as a man and completely paid off the cost of man’s sin. The lengths to which GOD goes to, in order have His plan fulfilled, are things we may be unable to understand. The attempts to the devil and sinful man to frustrate and block His plans fail. This is because, as Christ told Pontius Pilate, GOD’s kingdom is not of this world.
The Bible says that GOD preserves man and all creatures. He sustains everything in the heavens and on earth. In GOD, all things are held together (Col 1:17).GOD even names the stars, one by one (Ps 147:4).The Psalms record the many assurances of GOD looking after His creation. His kingdom rules over everything. No detail escapes His attention and involvement. Christ said that even the hairs on our head were numbered (Matt 10:30). GOD can never say that He was unaware of anything. GOD will not provide excuses for events.
In our lives, GOD is working in us to ensure that whatever happens is for His pleasure (Phil 2:13).He has given us His Holy Spirit to direct us. He has left His Word with us. He loves to hear our prayers and as Charles Spurgeon has said, GOD is “waiting” to hear our prayers. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us pray (Rom 8:26) although we ourselves have to pray. So we have no basis to say that we do not know how to pray. We have been given the Holy Spirit to inspire us when we read the Bible and to understand the word of GOD when preached (John 16:12-15).The Holy Spirit convicts the world of the gospel when it is preached (John 16:8-11).
GOD also performs supernatural events in the lives of His people in response to serious prayer. This is due to His control of all events and our faith in Him. He parted the Red Sea for his people to cross. He defeated armies when the odds were against His people. Israel’s enemies had superior advantage in numbers and armoury but GOD offset this. Jericho’s walls fell down inwards from nothing more than shouts by its enemies after a 7-day march around the city. The crossing of the Jordan by Joshua’s army was done with GOD holding back the waters. GOD extended the hours of a day to assist Joshua achieve a military victory. David’s victory over Goliath is another miracle when the whole army of GOD’s people including the king, was paralysed with fear.
In the New Testament, miracles of all types were performed by Christ. Water was changed to wine. Five loaves and two fish fed thousands on more than one occasion. People with all sorts of afflictions were healed: blind, mute, paralytic, demoniacally-controlled and even Lazarus was raised from the dead. In the Book of Acts, the name of Christ would heal many from disease and sickness. Evil spirits were defeated. Prison outbreaks were made by GOD in order for His apostles to continue the work of preaching the gospel. All these miracles happened to those who believed and had cultivated prayer with GOD.
So in understanding GOD’s providence there are three main things to remember. Firstly, GOD is totally and actively in control of events and things, down to the last detail and at each moment. Secondly, GOD is not the cause of evil but uses evil for His own good purposes. Thirdly, GOD sets about making amazing changes to the way things work, through miracles that we seriously pray for.
Note: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering in Mullaloo Perth, Australia for about 7 years. Prior to this, he was at Church of Our Holy Saviour, Labuan, East Malaysia. When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he now worships at Faith Oasis Fellowship Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
References for pictures:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asF0x438Tz0/UBog1klWNXI/AAAAAAAAASI/0nrPLkfVnLA/s1600/9-Jehovah-Jireh.jpg
http://gallery.hd.org/_exhibits/maths/chance-dice-random-numbers-1-AHD.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks7fV8jWr6E/TXjjpw22sII/AAAAAAAAATE/fY3iAyfIP84/s1600/angry-face.jpg
http://hplusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/Good_vs_Evil.jpg
http://images.firstcovers.com/covers/flash/e/everything_happens_for_a_reason-155325.jpg
http://unmsia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/talking-to-god.jpg
http://www.eaministries.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/God-is-able7.jpg
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/content/img/page/2012/96337.jpg
Leave a Reply