Providence
Providence [ebd]
literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; Prov. 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1), and things sinful (2 Sam. 16:10; 24:1; Rom. 11:32; Acts 4:27, 28), as well as to their good actions (Phil. 2:13; 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9, 10; Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5:22-25).
As regards sinful actions of men, they are represented as occurring by God's permission (Gen. 45:5; 50:20. Comp. 1 Sam. 6:6; Ex. 7:13; 14:17; Acts 2:3; 3:18; 4:27, 28), and as controlled (Ps. 76:10) and overruled for good (Gen. 50:20; Acts 3:13). God does not cause or approve of sin, but only limits, restrains, overrules it for good.
The mode of God's providential government is altogether unexplained. We only know that it is a fact that God does govern all his creatures and all their actions; that this government is universal (Ps. 103:17-19), particular (Matt. 10:29-31), efficacious (Ps. 33:11; Job 23:13), embraces events apparently contingent (Prov. 16:9, 33; 19:21; 21:1), is consistent with his own perfection (2 Tim. 2:13), and to his own glory (Rom. 9:17; 11:36).
PROVIDENCE [bridgeway]
The word ‘providence’, though not found in the Bible, is commonly used to describe God’s control and government of all things. He maintains the universe and cares for his creatures according to his perfect love, wisdom and power. He directs all affairs, small and great, according to his purposes and brings them to their appointed goal (Ps 147:8-9; Eccles 3:11; Isa 10:5-7; Matt 10:29; Eph 1:11; Phil 2:13; 1 Tim 6:15).God’s providence is evident everywhere – in the physical creation (Ps 29:3-6; 78:13-16; 104:27-28; Matt 6:26,28; Acts 14:17), in the events of world history (Prov 21:1; Amos 9:7; Luke 1:52; Acts 17:26; Rom 9:17) and in the lives of individuals (Gen 30:1-2; Job 1:21; Prov 16:33; Matt 6:25,30; 10:30; Luke 1:53). God’s people are particularly aware of these truths, because they see God at work in everything (Eph 4:6).
Christians see not only God’s love in his preservation of nature, but also his purpose in directing it towards its final glory (Matt 5:44-45; Rom 8:19-23; Col 1:17). They see that his direction of history has produced Jesus the Saviour and will lead to victory over all evil at the final triumph of Christ’s kingdom (Gal 4:4; Col 1:20; 2 Thess 2:3-8). They see God at work in their own lives, lovingly controlling all their affairs in order to lead them to greater spiritual maturity (Rom 8:28; Phil 4:12-13; James 1:2-4; see also PREDESTINATION; SUFFERING).
Providence is not fate. There is no suggestion that because of God’s controlling power everything happens mechanically. Neither the world of nature nor the world of humankind is the helpless subject of unalterable impersonal laws that determine the course of events. All things and all people are in the hands of the living God who is responsive to their needs (Gen 50:20; Jer 17:7-10; Jonah 4:11; Matt 8:26; 15:32; James 5:17-18; see MIRACLES; PRAYER). Also, people cannot excuse their mistakes by trying to put the blame on God’s providence. People are moral beings and God holds them responsible for all their actions (Deut 30:15-18; Rom 2:15; cf. Luke 22:22; Acts 4:27-28).
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