Providence

We all know that word, right? "Providence". Sure, it's the capital of Rhode Island but more often it is used to reference God's foreseeing care for His creation. Sometimes it's just another word for God.

Wait ... why did I say, "God's foreseeing care"? Well, that's interesting, isn't it? You see, the word has its roots in Latin. It's a two-part word where prō means "before" and vidēre ... well, we get our word "video" from that one. It means "to see". The origin of the word "providence", then, is "to see before." In fact, it originally meant "to prepare beforehand" in English.

It was common in older times for people to routinely referred to "Providence" both as a term for God and His foreseeing care. It might seem simplistic (and it might even be), but there it is a biblical fact that "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17) As a logical follow up to this statement, James makes this interesting claim: "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures." (James 1:18) "The exercise of His will" is the motive force that provides your very salvation. In fact, "in Him all things hold together." (Col 1:17) Thus, anything that is is a product of God's provision.

If it is true that every good thing is from above, that we owe our very existence to God's kindness and power, and that our very salvation is predicated on His will, God is indeed Providence, the One who foresees what we need and provides it. That may be pleasurable; it may not. But He is always right, this One we call "Providence". Did you eat today? Thank Providence. Are you wearing clothes? Thank Providence. Do you have water, a roof over your head, breath? Thank Providence. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess 5:18)