The Providence of God, what is it?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on November 6, 2012 at 10:31pm

 

Char - I reread my post to you and modified it a bit,

 

In a way I see you saying the same thing I am saying, with a slight difference.

 

My intentions in bringing up this topic are to discuss God's providential care over his creation, which gives us a great sense of being love and care. Is like the doctrine of the assurance of the saints, it has the effect of making us feel wanted and planned.

 

I think God as creator has every right to make us do his will whenever He wants, according to his good pleasure and plans. I do not think He does that by doing violence to us, but primarily by influencing our choices, to the point that we are persuaded to do his will. I believe He has given us liberties, and we are granted the ability to choose, but I would not dare say that He does not control our will at times, for He has not limited himself in that regards. I find no scripture in the bible that tells me that God cannot make me do his will. I actually find scripture that states different.

 

I know, I know, I asked the question: Are there things that God does not or cannot control?

But bear with me and let's leave out of this discussion, whether God can or can't control our will, for peace sake. I rather not take this discussion down the road that would lead us to discuss what have proven to be hot topics among us.

 

I hope you agree. Blessings beloved.

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on November 6, 2012 at 1:15pm

David

The Spirit has been leading me and showing me many things, about this.  After I began to understand more, when i went back and read verses I had read many times, a wonderful light shined on these verses.  Providence: literally means foresight.  As we look at His Word with this in mind, many things begin to make more sense.  Things that happened in my past, I became more at peace with.  Knowing "cause and effect" is one thing.  Trusting in Him to be able to see "cause and effect" bringing Glory to the Lord.   Feeling humbled with Thanksgiving knowing I am a cog in His Plan, Faith and Trust begins to be Strengthened.  Letting go of hurt, questions if He Cared {knowing He does, yet hurt ideas can be painful}, understanding and knowledge of why things happened in my past.  All these things and much more, helped me as I studied about the Providence.  

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on November 6, 2012 at 4:13pm

Chris,

 

Providence indeed means foresight.

 

Check out this defenition of it by : American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Providence

Acts 24:2, a superintending and forecasting care. The providence of God upholds and governs every created thing. Its operation is coextensive with the universe, and as unceasing as the flow of time. All his attributes are engaged in it. He provideth for the raven his food, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing. The Bible shows us all nature looking up to him and depending upon him, Job 38:41; Psalm 104:1-35; 145:15,16; 147:8-9; and uniformly declares that every occurrence, as well as every being, is perfectly controlled by him. There is no such thong as chance in the universe; "the lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord," Proverbs 16:23. Not a sparrow, nor a hair of the head, falls to the ground without his knowledge, Isaiah 14:26-27; Matthew 10:29-30; Acts 17:24 29. Nothing that was not too minute for God to create, is too minute for him to preserve and control. The history of each man, the rise and fall of nations, and the progress of the church of Christ, reveal at every step the hand of Him who "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on November 6, 2012 at 4:34pm

David

As I shared in It is not that Jesus is Wise... As I consider The Providence of God I consider these verses. 1Cor 1:30 You are partners with Christ Jesus because of God. Jesus has become our Wisdom sent from God, our Righteousness, our Holiness, and our ransom from sin.   We have come to know and rely on the Love that God has for us. God is Love, and the person who abides in Love abides in God, and God abides in him.  1John 4:16  As we seek to be wise, we are able to put our Complete Trust in His for He Is Wisdom.  The same with Love.  As we desire to share Love as we are told to, we are His Children.  God Is Love.  The Confidence we can put forth to operate Wisely, and show others Love cannot be stronger.  To Know and Understand Jesus Is Wisdom, God Is Love, we have the Source.  As we humble self, and strive to be obedient, we can put forth our Faith in Him, and live in Victory.   And share what we have been given to others and those who are searching for both Wisdom and Love.  

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on November 6, 2012 at 11:26pm

 

Chris,

 

That is a beautiful verse. One of my favs. It is an overwhelming thought, to think that God has partner with us to accomplish his plans is an amazing truth. He has chosen to work through us, as we are conform to his image. We are called to preach the gospel and by doing so, we are co-workers with God.

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on November 8, 2012 at 2:44pm

May I add, 

Accept the way God does things,

for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Ecc 7:13

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on November 8, 2012 at 2:57pm

Amen Chris.

Permalink Reply by Leonard T on November 6, 2012 at 7:24pm

I believe that one of the keys to understanding God's providence is understanding God's sovereignty.

 

From Got Questions:

Question: "How can I learn to trust that God is in
control?"

Answer: Before we can learn to trust that God is in
control of all of life’s circumstances, we have to answer four questions: Is God
really in control? How much control does He have? If He is not in complete
control, then who/what is? How can I learn to trust that He is in control and
rest in that?

Is God really in control? The concept of the control of God
over everything is called the “sovereignty” of God. Nothing gives us strength
and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives.
God’s sovereignty is defined as His complete and total independent control over
every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to
none, influenced by none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only
as He pleases, always as He pleases. God is in complete control of every
molecule in the universe at every moment, and everything that happens is either
caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.

“The LORD of
hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass,
And as I have purposed, so it shall stand’” (Isaiah 14:24). Nothing is random or comes by chance,
especially not in the lives of believers. He “purposed” it. That means to
deliberately resolve to do something. God has resolved to do what He will do and
nothing and no one stands in His way. “I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I
will do all that I please” Isaiah 46:10). This is our powerful, purposeful God who
is in control of everything. That should bring us great comfort and help to
alleviate our fears.

Read the whole article here: http://www.gotquestions.org/God-is-in-control.html

 

Lord Bless,

LT

Permalink Reply by Mitchell Sikich on November 6, 2012 at 9:59pm

Greetings everyone,

Mitch here.

I want to interject two worldviews which are at war with each other as it relates to this discussion.

You will see that the sovereign view, allows for tests, trials, sufferings in which we are instructed/commanded to count it all joy but will we? The answer would be yes if we believe and accept God's sovereign will for us.

The second view at war with the first, is what has been brought to us from our "Deliverance" friends, calling it the warfare view also called spiritual warfare, emphasizing Satan attacking us when in reality it is coming from God. I would contend it is a lie, and those promoting this view are actually denying the Sovereign Lord found in the warning passages of 2 Peter 2 for starters.

Please consider and think on these things, but don't fight over it. One is truth, the other is not.

Mitch 

Permalink Reply by Danny on November 6, 2012 at 10:44pm

Well said Mitchell!!! So do you know what happened to the other forum? It's gone. I was watching it very closely and you and Amanda had some great things to contribute.

Danny

Permalink Reply by Mitchell Sikich on November 6, 2012 at 10:49pm

Thanks Danny,

Will have to let the moderators respond.

Permalink Reply by Danny on November 6, 2012 at 11:05pm

Thanks, I hate to say this but I think that was the problem.

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