God’s Provide-ance
Providence is defined as, “Divine guidance or care; God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny.” We often say that the providence of God is best seen looking in the rear view mirror rather than through the windshield.
It has been noted that no name of the God of heaven appears in the entire book of Esther. However, it may be the book that best represents the providential working of God in the affairs of life. His names may be absent but His presence is on every single page, albeit behind the scenes. The concept that God guides the affairs of this life to work His will is all throughout the Scriptures. One of the words used for this concept is translated “supply” in Philippians 4:18-19.
The context is Paul’s appreciation of the church at Philippi for their involvement with him in his missionary work. “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.” (verse 15).
Paul then said of himself, “Indeed I have all and abound…” (verse 18). This word “abound” is the concept of providence. This same Greek word is used in verse 19 translated “supply”. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God’s providence in our lives means that He supplies what we need within the working of His will.
Let’s think about what this verse tells us about the providence of God. In His providence, He is the supplier. His has all and controls all. He is in charge and controls all that is. From His power and control, He supplies.
In His providence, He is benevolent. Proper benevolence is based on what that one needs. Benevolence is never about giving them everything they want. That does not help; it enables. People sometimes get their needs and their wants mixed up. God is watching out for the needs of His people.
His providence comes from the storehouse of His riches. The supply in that storehouse is limitless. We hear of His providential storehouse in the Old Testament. “’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Malachi 3:10).
We also learn about His storehouse in the New Testament. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38).
The greatest display of God’s “provide-ance” is Jesus Christ. From before the foundation of the earth, He was working His will to bring Jesus into the world. In doing this, He gave the greatest gift from His storehouse. It was the most personal gift He could give. Jesus was His supply to His people what they need from His storehouse.
-Mike Johnson
