The Providence of God in Our Lives Romans 8:28

2 What is Providence? God’s foresight, care and controlGod’s foresight, care and control – “Foresight, timely care” (Webster) – God’s “foresight & forethought in creating the universe whereby he could be in control & carry out his purpose to its ultimate consummation.” – God’s overruling hand in the affairs of this world God’s foresight, care and controlGod’s foresight, care and control – “Foresight, timely care” (Webster) – God’s “foresight & forethought in creating the universe whereby he could be in control & carry out his purpose to its ultimate consummation.” – God’s overruling hand in the affairs of this world

3 God’s Providence Joseph, Gen. 45:4-8; 50:20 Joseph, Gen. 45:4-8; 50:20 Pharaoh, Exo. 9:16; Rom. 9:17 Pharaoh, Exo. 9:16; Rom. 9:17 Cyrus, Isa. 44:24-28; Ezra 1:1-4 Cyrus, Isa. 44:24-28; Ezra 1:1-4 Esther, Esther 4:14 Esther, Esther 4:14

4 God Controls it All Nature, Acts 14:17 (Matt. 5:45; 6:30) Animal, Job 12:10; 38:41; Matt. 6:26 Nations, Psa. 66:7 (Dan. 2:21; 4:25, 35; Jer. 27:4-8) Individuals, 1 Sam. 2:6-7 (Prov. 16:9; Psa. 31:15) Smallest things, Matt. 10:29-31 Nature, Acts 14:17 (Matt. 5:45; 6:30) Animal, Job 12:10; 38:41; Matt. 6:26 Nations, Psa. 66:7 (Dan. 2:21; 4:25, 35; Jer. 27:4-8) Individuals, 1 Sam. 2:6-7 (Prov. 16:9; Psa. 31:15) Smallest things, Matt. 10:29-31 If the Lord wills… Jas. 4:15

5 How Then Should We Live? Seize every opportunity Seize every opportunity Eccl. 9:10; Gal. 6:9-10 Do not become inactive, thinking God will “do it all” (Jno. 9:4)Do not become inactive, thinking God will “do it all” (Jno. 9:4) Eccl. 9:10; Gal. 6:9-10 Do not become inactive, thinking God will “do it all” (Jno. 9:4)Do not become inactive, thinking God will “do it all” (Jno. 9:4)

6 How Then Should We Live? Quiet acceptance of things beyond our control Quiet acceptance of things beyond our control Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Trust in God’s care & rule relieves sinful reactions like anger, anxiety, doubt and despair, Eccl. 3:12-14Trust in God’s care & rule relieves sinful reactions like anger, anxiety, doubt and despair, Eccl. 3:12-14 Paul, 2 Cor. 12:8-10Paul, 2 Cor. 12:8-10 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Trust in God’s care & rule relieves sinful reactions like anger, anxiety, doubt and despair, Eccl. 3:12-14Trust in God’s care & rule relieves sinful reactions like anger, anxiety, doubt and despair, Eccl. 3:12-14 Paul, 2 Cor. 12:8-10Paul, 2 Cor. 12:8-10

7 How Then Should We Live? With a contented spirit With a contented spirit Hebrews 13:5-6 Knowing God’s providence helps our contentment, Phil. 4:6-7, 11-13Knowing God’s providence helps our contentment, Phil. 4:6-7, Helps us have compassion, Col. 3:12Helps us have compassion, Col. 3:12 Hebrews 13:5-6 Knowing God’s providence helps our contentment, Phil. 4:6-7, 11-13Knowing God’s providence helps our contentment, Phil. 4:6-7, Helps us have compassion, Col. 3:12Helps us have compassion, Col. 3:12

8 How Then Should We Live? Guard against bitterness Guard against bitterness 1 Sam. 1:10; Job 7:11 Bitter heart is fertile soil for Satan, Heb. 12:14-15Bitter heart is fertile soil for Satan, Heb. 12: Sam. 1:10; Job 7:11 Bitter heart is fertile soil for Satan, Heb. 12:14-15Bitter heart is fertile soil for Satan, Heb. 12:14-15

9 How Then Should We Live? Guard against murmuring & complaining Guard against murmuring & complaining Phil. 2:14; 1 Cor. 10:10, 13 Shows disrespect for God and His will in our livesShows disrespect for God and His will in our lives Shows dissatisfaction with His rule (Num. 21:5)Shows dissatisfaction with His rule (Num. 21:5) Phil. 2:14; 1 Cor. 10:10, 13 Shows disrespect for God and His will in our livesShows disrespect for God and His will in our lives Shows dissatisfaction with His rule (Num. 21:5)Shows dissatisfaction with His rule (Num. 21:5)

10 How Then Should We Live? Trust in God more completely Trust in God more completely Matthew 5:44-45, 48 Faith to be as He isFaith to be as He is Replace anxiety with trust in God, Matt. 6:30-31 (25-34)Replace anxiety with trust in God, Matt. 6:30-31 (25-34) God watches over His children!God watches over His children! Matthew 5:44-45, 48 Faith to be as He isFaith to be as He is Replace anxiety with trust in God, Matt. 6:30-31 (25-34)Replace anxiety with trust in God, Matt. 6:30-31 (25-34) God watches over His children!God watches over His children!

11 How Then Should We Live? Pray more fervently Pray more fervently Matthew 7:7-11 If God is not active in our lives, thenIf God is not active in our lives, then there is no power or protection in there is no power or protection in prayer! prayer! Prayer works because God is at work! Jas. 5:13-18Prayer works because God is at work! Jas. 5:13-18 Matthew 7:7-11 If God is not active in our lives, thenIf God is not active in our lives, then there is no power or protection in there is no power or protection in prayer! prayer! Prayer works because God is at work! Jas. 5:13-18Prayer works because God is at work! Jas. 5:13-18

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. 29:29)

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 8:28

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 8:31, 37