In this episode, we will consider two main things:
What is Providence? Specifically, when we talk about “providence”, we are talking about God’s Ongoing Relationship with Creation
God’s providence causes to continue what has already been called into existence, and He does it by (1) sustaining it; (2) working in and through it; and (3) directing it for his good purposes. These three avenues are called (1) preservation, (2) concurrence, and (3) government.
1. Preservation: God Upholds and Sustains All Things
(Heb 1:3; Col. 1:17; Neh. 9:6; Job 34:14-15)
2. Concurrence: God Works In and Through All Things
(Gen. 45:5; Eph. 1:11; Job 37:6-13; Prov. 16:9, 33; Job 14:5; Phil. 2:13)
- Primary and Secondary Causes
3. Government: God Rules and Directs All Things; thus, He is directing all things for His good purposes; He governs and directs all things according to their appointed purpose.
(Dan 4:35; Rom. 8:28; Ps. 103:19)
A. God’s governing activity is universal and does not merely extend to his own people. It extends to all matters and all men
B. God is good in his government.
C. God is personally concerned about those who are his
D. God is sovereign in his government.
Why does this matter?
1) Belief in God’s providence means that we can trust God for all things because he has already handled our biggest problem … sin.
2) God’s providence also means that we can be patient in adversity. I
3) This also leads us to gratitude
4) the doctrine of providence is meant to lead us to hope
Recommended Resources:
Spectacular Sins (free Ebook by John Piper): https://www.desiringgod.org/books/spectacular-sins
Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology: https://www.amazon.ca/Systematic-Theology-Introduction-Biblical-Doctrine/dp/0310286700/ref=asc_df_0310286700/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292994319506&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1291156945323154158&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001173&hvtargid=pla-434015156820&psc=1
