The Providence of God in Our Lives

1
The Providence of God in Our Lives

• Romans 828

2
What is Providence?

• Gods foresight, care and control
• Foresight, timely care (Webster)
• Gods foresight forethought in creating the
  universe whereby he could be in control carry
  out his purpose to its ultimate consummation.
  
• Gods overruling hand in the affairs of
  this world

3
Gods Providence
Joseph, Gen. 454-8 5020
Pharaoh, Exo. 916 Rom. 917
Cyrus , Isa. 4424-28 Ezra 11-4
Esther, Esther 414
4
God Controls it All

• Nature, Acts 1417 (Matt. 545 630)
• Animal, Job 1210 3841 Matt. 626
• Nations, Psa. 667
  (Dan. 221 425, 35 Jer. 274-8)
• Individuals, 1 Sam. 26-7
  (Prov. 169 Psa. 3115)
• Smallest things, Matt. 1029-31

If the Lord wills Jas. 415
5
How Then Should We Live?
Seize every opportunity

• Eccl. 910 Gal. 69-10
• Do not become inactive, thinking God will do it
  all (Jno. 94)

6
How Then Should We Live?
Quiet acceptance of things beyond our control

• Ecclesiastes 31-8
• Trust in Gods care rule relieves sinful
  reactions like anger, anxiety, doubt and
  despair, Eccl. 312-14
• Paul, 2 Cor. 128-10

7
How Then Should We Live?
With a contented spirit

• Hebrews 135-6
• Knowing Gods providence helps our contentment,
  Phil. 46-7, 11-13
• Helps us have compassion, Col. 312

8
How Then Should We Live?
Guard against bitterness

• 1 Sam. 110 Job 711
• Bitter heart is fertile soil for Satan, Heb.
  1214-15

9
How Then Should We Live?
Guard against murmuring complaining

• Phil. 214 1 Cor. 1010, 13
• Shows disrespect for God and His
  will in our lives
• Shows dissatisfaction with His rule
  (Num. 215)

10
How Then Should We Live?
Trust in God more completely

• Matthew 544-45, 48
• Faith to be as He is
• Replace anxiety with trust in God, Matt. 630-31
  (25-34)
• God watches over His children!

11
How Then Should We Live?
Pray more fervently

• Matthew 77-11
• If God is not active in our lives, then
• there is no power or protection in
• prayer!
• Prayer works because God is at
  work! Jas. 513-18

12
Divine Providence
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but
those things which are revealed belong to us and
to our children forever, that we may do all the
words of this law. (Deut. 2929)
13
Divine Providence
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.
Romans 828
14
Divine Providence
What then shall we say to these things? If God is
for us, who can be against us? ... Yet in all
these things we are more than conquerors through
Him who loved us. Romans 831, 37