Providence Part II

As I said before, despite the centrality of the doctrine of the Providence of God (that is, the doctrine that says that God is in charge of everything that occurs) in Scripture, the doctrine has fallen into disfavor in much of 21st century American Christianity. Now, to me, the "negative" side of this doctrine is such a big plus that I can't imagine being without it. The "negative" side is the answer to the question, "Why do bad things to happen?" Without offering specifics, it answers, "Because God is in charge. Rest." I like that when tough times surround.

The "positive" side, however, seems just as absent from much of Christian thought, and that I find odd because it seems so ... well ... positive. Here's the positive side: "In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet He did not leave Himself without witness, for He did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:16-17). (Isn't that fascinating? Paul was speaking there to idolaters about whom he was saying that God provided them with what they needed.) In Genesis 17, God identifies Himself to Abraham with the name El Shaddai. Most literally it means "the all-sufficient God". It is generally translated "Almighty God". The two concepts, His Providence and His Sovereignty, are interlinked and inseparable. And El Shaddai is the concept of "providence" -- God provides all we need. It doesn't take a word genius to see this in the word itself. "Providence" is "provide - ence". Rooted, in fact, in the concept of "foresight", in its "positive" sense, God's Providence says that God makes sure that we have everything we need. That's good, right?

The other day I was talking to a Christian who was telling me his concerns. He was worried that he might lose his job. Then what would happen when his savings ran out? Then what would happen when he became homeless? Oh, things looked bleak. I pointed out (as gently as I could) that it appeared that he was trusting in his job, his savings account, and his own ability to get by ... not God. Isn't that where these kinds of worries come from? We are trusting in our health or our family or our job or our talents or ... you go on with the list. We are not trusting God to provide -- in God's Providence. We all know that Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father" (Mat 10:29). Somehow, though, we think He's not paying attention to us. And we worry.

The doctrine of God's Providence says that God is in charge of all things. The doctrine centers on Christ who is all in all. It provides for general providence -- the care of all of creation -- and special providence -- God's special care for His children. It rests on God's foresight, expects God's omnipotence, and is assured by His Sovereignty. And each of us, when we begin to worry like my friend was, are losing sight of this magnificent doctrine. To many, God's Providence is a threat. It threatens their freedom, threatens their autonomy. To me, the doctrine, both in how it assures me when things seem bad and how it reminds me that all things come from Christ, are sustained by Christ, and are to the glory of Christ, is a very, very good thing. But, hey, that's just me, right?