One of the more difficult things when preparing a message on a text of Scripture is deciding what details to leave out. Because Scripture is so rich and inexhaustive, it is tempting to include everything from my study notes in the final manuscript, but that would be unfocused, unwieldy, and uninteresting. So, when I prepare the final manuscript, some details are completely excluded and others get brief treatment.
One such example is the doctrine of divine providence. We recently started our studies in the Epistle of First Peter. As I covered verses 6-7, I mentioned the doctrine of divine providence, but I think it is important for us to think deeply about the doctrine of the providence of God. As always, our doctrine and theology must not be confined to our minds only; it should affect how we live and lead to a deeper worship of God.
The doctrine of divine providence and the doctrine of the sovereignty of God are inextricably linked. We explored the doctrine of sovereignty in detail in 1 Peter 1:1-2. To say that God is sovereign is to say that He has absolute authority and rule over all things. Providence is the outworking of His sovereignty. In God’s providence, He works out all things and meticulously guides all things to fulfill His purpose and will.
Scripture affirms God’s sovereignty and providence: Ephesians 1:11 says, He “works all things according to the counsel of His will.” Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good.” The words “all things” appear in both verses, pointing to the fact that He isn’t just in control of the big picture and major world events; He is in control of “all things”—big and small—and works “all things” according to His will, to His glory, and for the good of Christians.
Yet, many Christians will say, “God is in control” but live as practical atheists.[1] We often hear Christians credit God for the major events in their lives, such as marriage, children, job promotions, and so on, but they live as if God is not involved in the smaller details of their life. They seek God for major life decisions, but they leave all the other things in life in their own hands, or worse they leave some things to luck or chance. This kind of attitude toward life manifests an unfamiliarity with Scripture, because examples of God’s providence abound in Scripture.
The classic example of the doctrine of providence is Joseph, where his brothers meant evil against him, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). While this is a major event in the course of human history, we often forget that God worked out every detail—big and small—to accomplish His will. Every person who crossed paths with Joseph and every event he experienced happened at God’s appointed time, which ultimately led Joseph to be recognized and elevated by Pharaoh. And subsequently saved his family and numerous others from the effects of the great famine.
From Joseph’s perspective, many events seemed random when they occurred, and there are many things in our lives that also seem random. But even what appears random to us is not random at all. Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” As Christians, we don’t believe in luck or chance—there is no such thing—and providence is not a synonym for chance.[2] Christians believe in a sovereign God who works all things for His glory and for our good.
Many other illustrations of God’s providence come to mind, including God working the greatest evil for good: The death of Christ. God willed for Christ to die (Isaiah 53:10), evil men acted out their evil desires and killed Christ (Acts 2:23; 4:27), but God used that for good in the salvation of His elect (Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1).
As we recently started the Epistle of First Peter and due to life circumstances, the doctrine of divine providence has been on my mind for some time. As we study First Peter, we cannot ignore the doctrine of divine providence in the opening verses. This letter was written to Christians scattered across the Roman Empire (1 Peter 1:1-2) who were about to face severe persecution under the emperor Nero. Peter reminds us that even trials serve a purpose in our lives (1 Peter 1:6-7), because God’s providence means He guides and directs all things for His glory and for our good.
Undoubtedly, the doctrine of divine election raises an important question: Does the doctrine of divine providence mean that God ordains our suffering? The answer is yes, but there are two common misconceptions that we need to address because we hear it quite frequently. First, some will try to explain that suffering is not from God but from the devil. I think this comes from good intentions of trying to shield God from being implicated with evil, but good intentions or not, it is unscriptural. While it is true that God is not the author of evil and He tempts no one (James 1:13), He works all things for good, even using evil for good. Think about Joseph: God used the evil intentions and actions of his brothers to work things according to His will.
The second misconception is that some will say that God doesn’t ordain our sufferings, He only permits it. R.C. Sproul gives a very concise argument against that line of thinking: “Whatever God permits, He must choose to permit, and what He chooses to permit, He thereby ordains.”[3]
The more we know His Word, the more aware we are of His providence not only in the biblical account, but also in our lives. The more we examine the Scriptures, the more we must affirm that indeed all things are ordained by God, even the small details.
Consider the words of Joel Beeke as he examines the practical application of the doctrine of God’s providence: “So often people go to work day after day, buy groceries, take medicine, pay bills, and enjoy pleasures—but do not give a thought to Him and the fact that all depends on His will. Their hearts are lifted up in pride, they forget the Lord, and they say, ‘My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth’ (Deut. 8:17). Their prayerlessness is the nail that seals the coffin of their spiritual deadness. But the child of God has the Spirit of adoption crying in his heart, ‘Abba, Father’ (Gal. 4:6). He knows by a Spirit-infused instinct that all deliverance from evil and enjoyment of good comes from his Father. And therefore, he prays. And you? Do you pray? Are your prayers a sincere seeking after Him who is the fountain of all good? Do you really believe in the God of providence?”[4]
As I studied 1 Peter, particularly verses 6-7, one of the commentaries I consulted provided an analysis of divine providence. At the same time, the February issue of Tabletalk, a monthly magazine, is titled “Providence.” In God’s providence, the doctrine of divine providence occupied much of my thinking, so that I might more effectively preach His Word—all to His glory.
[1] https://www.ligonier.org/blog/columns-tabletalk-magazine-february-2021/
[2] https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2021/02/in-the-providence-of-god/
[3] R.C. Sproul, 1-2 Peter: An Expositional Commentary, p. 19.
[4] https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2021/02/gods-providence-applied-in-our-lives/