Providence

Providence. It's a term used often from earlier times. Not so much these days. It was often used as a reference to God. Because, as we all know, God provides.

It's interesting, though, if you look at the ways it was used in earlier times. The term was a term of faith. It was a term that left the user of the term hanging onto God's provide-ance. "I'm in tough times ... but God will provide." Or, "I trust to Providence ..."

Indeed, it is this aspect of God that was behind one of the early names God offers for Himself. Your Bible will likely translate it as "God Almighty" (Gen 17:1), but the term -- El Shaddai -- speaks more of God's providence. He is almighty, true, but in this sense He is almighty in His ability to provide all that is needed. "All Sufficient" is the idea. Because He is the Provider.

We forget it sometimes. We forget that without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). We forget that in Him we live and move and have our very existence (Acts 17:28). We forget that in Him all things consist -- hold together (Col 1:17). We forget that our very service to Him is accomplished by His will and His power (Php 2:13). Paul asks, "What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Cor 4:7). Not earn. Not merit. Not obtain. Given. He grants suffering and faith (Php 1:29), repentance (2 Tim 2:25), everything we have and are. He gifts us with grace and mercy when we deserve wrath and justice. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32)

Providence is a good descriptor of God. He provides everything. Good things, difficult things, life and breath. Always good (Rom 8:28). The trick, then, is to keep that in mind at all times. Even the hard times.