126 – THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD EXPLAINED

SEMESTER 2

126 – THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD EXPLAINED

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: THEOLOGY II LESSON # 26
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD EXPLAINED

INTRODUCTION:

1. Before we profess to understand divine providence, we must delete the word divine.
2. Government of God is compatible with His knowledge and wisdom, thus, it is too great for us.
3. We understand only a portion of the portion we are told, as to why it exists and what it is to become.
4. How, then, can man be so presumptuous as to believe that He can judge right policies for God’s governing?

I. WHAT IS GOD NOW GOVERNING?

1. Be aware it is neither the world He created, nor the one of final design. (It is a transitory stage).
2. Since we see neither of these, how could we see the detail of government that is needed?
3. This is a world where Satan dwells, and where most people favor him and not God.
4. Satan and all activities consequent to him are by divine sufferance, not endorsement.
5. It is a world filled with depraved reprobates. (Rom. 3:17, I Jn. 3:7-8, Mat. 15:19-20)
6. Thus, it is not operated like it was in Eden, or will be in New Jerusalem.

III: The nation’s prisons are not, and should not be operated like our homes.

II. THE NATURE OF GOD’S GOVERNMENT

1. It is mysterious, apparently will against will, utter confusion, going nowhere.
2. But the science of bees reveals much more than does mere observa­tion.
3. In like manner, God tells us that mere observation of His providence, will yield us little insight because His ways are above ours. (Ps. 10:4-5, Ps. 36:6 Rom. 11:33)
4. Thus, we must believe, i.e., accept God’s word for the fact that His judgments and actions are right and true, and always good. (Ps. 19:9, Rev. 16:7, Rev. 19:2)
5. Remember it was the questioning of, and rebellion against, this government that put man where he is. (Gen. 3:1-6)

III. THE DETAIL OF PROVIDENCE, I.E., IT IS MINUTE

1. This is simply to say, that God governs every single thing, from the greatest to the smallest.
2. Recently, I heard a preacher say on television: “We cannot possibly think that God can attend to all these little details.
3. Such a concept of God is a partial atheism, and is the statement of an ignorant, or more likely an unsaved man.
4. His providence is both, microscopic and telescopic.

III: The sparrow, and the hairs of our head. (Luke 12:5-7)
III: People, who do not even believe the heads are num­bered.

5. God’s control extends to inanimate matter.

III: Red Sea, Jordan, Korah, Fiery Furnace, Carmel.

6. God’s control extends to irrational creatures.

III: God brought them to Adam for names, and Noah for deliverance. Consider: Plagues, lion’s den, Balaam’s ass, rooster, whale.

7. God’s control is equally minute in men (all men).

i. We may easily, and readily, see that He controls the good. (Acts 9:6)
ii. But, He is also in control of the wicked, not causatively, but directively and permissively.

III: The floods of iniquity proceed from wicked hearts, but instead of letting them cover the land, God channels them to His purpose.

IV. THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF THE DOCTRINE OF PROVIDENCE

1. It is an indispensable source of faith. (Rom. 8:28, I Cor. 10:13)
2. How can either of these Scriptures be true if divine providence is not absolute?

III: All events are interdependent, “for want of a nail.”
III: The artesian well, destructive, or constructive?

3. The most wonderful of the pipelines for channeling sin ran to Calvary. (Acts 2:23, Acts 4:27)