God's Sweet Providence

   

 I do not believe in coincidence, but I do believe in God.  He is a God that meets all our needs and cares for us on a daily basis.  How do I know?  Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of seeing His hand deliver me from Bulbar Poliomyelitis when I asked for healing as a child of six.  Then, God used my teacher training from college so that I might teach our children at home.  Finally, I saw God's hand guiding a doctor to place a stent in my heart and preserve my life.  So I find it hard to understand why people fail to recognize the Lord's sovereign work in our lives.
     According to Webster's 1828 American Dictionary, providence means "the care and superintendence which God exercises over His creatures."  Indeed, we know that God created the whole universe and all that is in it.  He is sovereign over all of it, maintains it by His mighty power, and sent His only Son to offer redemption to those He has chosen from before the foundation of this world.  Yet there are those, today, who say that this universe was a result of "the Big Bang".  They deny a sovereign Creator who has marvelously made all that we see.  The Apostle Paul described this in his letter to the Romans.
     In chapter 1 verses 18-23, we read:  "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."  Several things stand out in this passage.  First, men choose to suppress the truth.  Hasn't this been the history of man since the Garden of Eden?  God has revealed Himself through the things that are seen in the magnificence of His creation.  Instead of worshipping this great God of creation, the God of Providence who is Sovereign, they choose to follow the inclinations of their own hearts worshipping idols.  Furthermore, the life of Christ demonstrated God's love and care for us.
     Jesus Christ called Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).  We know that shepherds care for their sheep, but Jesus went even further by laying down His life for His sheep.  He protects, guides, feeds and nurtures those in His care.  He also will not lose even one that is given to Him by the Father.  This is a picture of God's providential oversight.
     Living in the sheepfold of His care means He will carry us when we are weary.  He will weep with us when we are broken.  He will heal us and bind up our wounds.  Most importantly, He carries our sins and gives us in return His righteousness.  Who would not desire to live in His sweet Providence?
     Having seen God at work in my life over the years I could never deny His tender care.  He has always been there at just the right time.  His promises are certain, and His ways are perfect.  Today, trust in God's providential care for your life.  Tell others of the God that we serve that they too may enter into the perfect rest that can only be found in Him.  Selah!