The Theology of God's Providence

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Welcome to Theology Thursday. Each Thursday, I will attempt to define a theological concept and give practical implications for daily living. Today, I will look at God’s providence. What does it mean and what are the practical implications for believing in the God’s providence?

The Providence of God

Definition: The providence of God is the continuing and often unseen activity of God, sustaining the world, providing for the needs of his people, and preparing for the completion of his purposes.

Important Implications of The Providence of God

What are some practical implications of believing in the providence of God?

All life is dependent on God (1 Timothy 6:13).
God sustains and provides for his people and his creation (Colossians 1:17). Sometimes he provides through supernatural means (Job 5:9-10).
Every event – good or adverse – is a summons to us to trust God, knowing that he is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). The ultimate product is each believer looking more like Jesus.
God is not aloof and distant but involved in the world. The providence of God teaches that God overrules events and interruptions in our lives to accomplish his plan.
God will complete his purpose for creation (Romans 8:20-21).
God directs all things for his glory (Romans 11:36).

Summoned to Trust

Therefore, followers of Jesus do not depend on luck, chance or fate. But, we can live our lives knowing that God is superintending all that happens to us. He is not aloof and distant but involved in every detail of our lives. Right now, with unseen but strategic activity, God is navigating circumstances and moving people into place to accomplish his purposes in our lives.

Consequently, God is involved in the momentous and the mundane and trivial events in our lives.

Our response to every circumstance is to trust God even when we can’t trace God. Sometimes God’s divine activity is unseen, but we are summoned to believe that he is always working.