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The Providence of God

The Providence of God. Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. What is Providence?. God’s Foresight, Care & Control. 1.  “Foresight, timely care; etc.” (Webster)

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The Providence of God

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  1. The Providence of God

  2. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

  3. What is Providence? God’s Foresight, Care & Control. 1.  “Foresight, timely care; etc.” (Webster) 2.  God’s “foresight & forethought in creating the universe whereby he could be in control & carry out his purpose to its ultimate consummation.” (Prayer & Providence, Hailey, 115)

  4. Providence Illustrated: Joseph • Falsely Accused • Cast into prison • Forgotten • Hated by brothers • Cast in pit • Sold as slave Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

  5. Providence Illustrated: Moses • Fled for his life • In Wilderness 40 years • Hid in river • Raised by oppressor • Rejected by his own people Acts 7:35 This Moses whom they rejected, saying, “Who made you a ruler and a judge?” is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.

  6. Providence Illustrated: Esther • Decree to kill all Jews • Face death to go into king’s court without being called • Became queen because of her beauty • Haman became king’s right hand man Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

  7. God Is In Control of All • Nature • Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness (Acts 14:17). • …for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45). • Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matt. 6:30).

  8. God Is In Control of All • Animal World • In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? (Job 12:10). • Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food? (Job 38:41). • Psalm 104:19-30 • Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matt. 6:26).

  9. God Is In Control of All • Nations • He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves (Psa. 66:7). • And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding (Dan. 2:21).

  10. God Is In Control of All • Nations: Nebuchadnezzar’s 2nd Dream • They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses (Dan. 4:25). • All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done? (Dan. 4:35).

  11. God Is In Control of All • Nations: Nebuchadnezzar over Babylon • Men only rule as God allows (Jer. 27:1-12). • You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold (Dan. 2:37-38).

  12. God Is In Control of All • Nations • The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes (Prov. 21:1). • Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:27). • That is why prayer for leaders is effective (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

  13. God Is In Control of All • Nations: Cyrus Prophesy • Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places; Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’; Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”’ (Isa. 44:24-28).

  14. God Is In Control of All • Nations: Cyrus Prophesy Fulfilled • Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-3).

  15. God Is In Control of All • Lives of Individuals • The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up (1 Sam. 2:6-7). • A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps (Prov. 16:9). • My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me (Psa. 31:15). • That’s why prayer for health is effective (Isa. 38:2).

  16. God Is In Control of All • Even the Smallest Things • Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (Matt. 6:29-31). • Never ignore the presence of the Lord… “If the Lord wills…” (Jas. 4:15).

  17. The Providence of God • God’s foresight, care, and control. • Joseph, Moses, Esther • God controls all. • Nature • Animal World • Nations • Individuals • Even the smallest things

  18. God Is In Control of All • Therefore Pray More Fervently • Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Mt. 7:7-11).

  19. Prayer Is Effective… Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit (Jas. 5:13-18).

  20. What One Can Know About The Providence of God • It Is Real 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Rom. 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

  21. What One Can Know About The Providence of God • It Is Real • It Is Not Miraculous Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—”

  22. What One Can Know About The Providence of God • It Is Real • It Is Not Miraculous • It Is God Controlling His Creation To Accomplish His Will. Genesis 18:14 - Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Job 42:2 - I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

  23. HowProvidenceShouldEffectOurLives • Leave the secret things to God & know things revealed (Deut. 29:29) • There is a time for every purpose (Eccl. 3:1-8; 12:13-14) • Man is still a free moral agent (Gen. 1:31; Jas. 1:13-14; Ezek. 18:20) • Serve God with our whole might (Eccl. 9:10; Gal. 6:9-10) • Trust in God (Lk. 22:42; Jas. 4:15; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Phil. 4:6; Jas. 5:16)

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