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theo_book -> The "Providence" of God (4/10/2008 8:10:54 AM)
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The word "Providence" is found one time in scripture, in an accusation by Tertullas against Paul, before Felix, the governor. There is no reference to "the providence of God" in scripture.
Yet, there most certainly IS a DOCTRINE developed in scripture about "the providence of God" because GOD provided so many things for the express purpose of bringing about the salvation of my soul.
"Providence" requires preparation. In order to provide daily sustainance, a father needs to prepare today to feed his children tomorrow. If every father had to find today's food today, society as we know it would cease to exist, and we would be a hunter-gatherer nomadic people, a return to the societal prevalence of several thousands of years ago.
Isaiah taught:
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee,
what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
And Paul taught us:
I CO 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
GOD PREPARED A PEOPLE
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in
love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
GOD PREPARED A SACRIFICE
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that
same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider
that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people,
and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of
himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus
should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that
also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
GOD PREPARED A GOSPEL
Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Acts 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
II Thes 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOD PREPARED MESSENGERS:
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall
they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, (Isa 52:7) How
beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and
bring glad tidings of good things!
GOD PROVIDED A STEWARDSHIP
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this
grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of
the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
God, who created all things...
GOD PROVIDED PURPOSE
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in
heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of
God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
II Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
GOD PROVIDED A PLAN
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness
which is by faith.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should
boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them.
I Pet 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in
prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsufering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
GOD PROVIDED A MEANS OF PURIFICATION:
II Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having
this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that
nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of
wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a
man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto
every good work.
GOD HID ALL IN A TIMELESS MYSTERY
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my
gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation
of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But
now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according
to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations
for the obedience of faith:
I Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden
wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they
would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:
and whom he called, them he also justified: and\ whom he justified,
them he also glorified.
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered\ him up for us
all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who
shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who
also maketh intercession for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love
of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOD PREPARED THE MESSAGE
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
I Thes 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for
labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any
of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
I Thes 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.
I Pet 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who
verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God,
that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith
and hope might be in God.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
II Cor 5:21 For He hath made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us in
order that we might in him become the righteousness of God.
GOD PROVIDED A MEANS TO MAKE IT KNOWN, HIDDEN IN PARABLES?
Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou
unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing
see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And
in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing
ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and
shall not perceive:
Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables;
and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all
these things are done in parables:
THE REASON FOR SECRECY:
I Cor 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
If the plan of God, inculcating the death of his son as a sacrificial lamb, had entered the hearts of men, men would have discussed it, prayed for it, earnestly awaited it; and Satan would have learned of it, and would never have brought about the death of the son of God, by whose death Satan forever lost the contest.
GOD PROVIDED THE FIRSTFRUITS:
II Thes 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you,
brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to
the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOD PREPARED COVENANT KEEPERS:
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my
covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all
people: for all the earth is mine:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom
of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words (reemata) which ye
shall speak unto the children of Israel.
GOD PREPARED A PEOPLE - CHRISTIANS:
Acts 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
I Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
AS ROYAL PRIESTS WE ARE TO -
Rom 12:1...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
GOD PROVIDED AN INTERCESSOR
Rom.8:26...Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities; for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought; But the Spirit itself makes
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; And He
that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because
he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
GOD PROVIDED A WAY OUT OF JEOPARDY
I Cor.10:13 there has no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way to
escape that ye may be able.
Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a
maid?
GOD PROVIDED A REPAIR SHOP
Mt.4:21..He saw two brothers..James..and John.. Mending their nets...
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, Ye which are
spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering
thyself, lest you also be tempted.
Heb 13:20-21 ..now the God of peace... make you perfect in every good
work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his
sight through Jesus Christ.
GOD PROVIDED WITNESSES
Luke 15:7 ...I say unto you that likewise Joy shall be in heaven
over one sinner that repents more than over ninety and nine which
need no repentence. 15:10...likewise I say unto you there is joy
in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.
Heb.1:14...are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
GOD PROVIDED A KINGDOM
Mt.25:34...then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
"come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world".
IN A CITY
Heb 11:13 ...these all died in faith, not having received the
promised things, but seeing them afar off were persuaded of them and
embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
the Earth. 11:16 ...but now they desire a better country, that is, an
heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called\ their God for he
has prepared for them a city.
WITH A MANSION
John.14:2 in my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
GOD PROVIDED SECURITY TO THE FAITHFUL
Luke 22:39-45...and He came out and went as he was accustomed, to the
mount of olives. and His disciples also followed him. and when he was
at the place he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation. and he was withdrawn from them about a stones cast,and
kneeled down and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove
this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but thine be done. And
there appeared an Angel unto him from heaven strengtening him. And
being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and he sweat as it were
great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when He arose up
from prayer and was come to his disciples he found them sleeping for
sorrow and said unto them, why sleep ye? rise and pray lest ye enter
into temptation.
Heb 13:5 He saith I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.
Rev 2:10..be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a
crown of life.
What does all this teach me?
That God, who knows me best, loves me anyway.
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