Comfort in God’s Providence

I. Introduction: When we study prayer, we often wonder how God answers prayers. We know He has promised to hear our prayers and that He will answer our prayers but we also know that God will not force us to do things against our will. He will not overpower us and act on our behalf, though He certainly has the power to do so. How, then, can God accomplish His purposes when people are acting in their own interests?

II. Text: Matthew 6:19-34

III. God’s will and our lives

A. Possible views of man in God’s world

B. Preprogrammed chemical machine that acts out directives planned from before the beginning of creation.

C. This is the strict Calvinistic view; every action of man, both good and evil, has been predetermined by God and cannot be changed. In this system, man has no free will to act else he would be out of God’s control.

D. God has chosen that some will be saved and some will be lost but has given man limited free will to act.

E. This is a more moderate Calvinistic-style doctrine. The person who has not been chosen to have eternal life will make some choices that seem good and others that seem evil but, since he is lost, all actions are ultimately evil for he does not—he cannot—seek to do good. The person who has been predestined to have eternal life can, when God mysteriously transforms him, choose to do good and will do so since that part of his will has been activated. I believe this view would make God partial in His judgment and limit salvation; both views that are contrary to the New Testament.

F. Some believe that God has a plan for them and that they, through guidance of spiritual people, circumstances, feelings attributed to God, and opportunities, are gradually called to step into their appointed role.

G. They may talk about a spouse that “God has saved for them.” They may talk about being “called” to a particular vocation or place to live. They may talk about God directing them to do a certain action, go to a certain place, or talking with a certain person though they only have their intuition or feelings to guide them. They talk about a time when God “calls them home.”

H. In the New Testament, we do not read of an individualized will for each person on earth that God reveals gradually.

I. When do we know that God is influencing us or Satan? Where does the Bible teach that God directs us through emotions, external influences, and opportunities? What happens if someone misses the message and takes a wrong turn? Is the plan revised or do we just miss out on God’s plan for us? I think that we will find, through examples in the Bible, that God does not have such a will for every person, though He did have a will for some people. This method requires that we, with finite understanding, determine God’s infinite reasoning and choose what He thinks is best for us.

J. Some believe that God will use us to fulfill His will no matter what our occupation is, where we live, and with whom we talk (assuming that all are honorable).

K. God calls us to walk worthy of Christ’s sacrifice

L. Ephesians 4:1 – Walk worthy of the calling of Christ Colossians 3:5-6 – Walk and speak wisely before the world

M. God wants us to live wisely in whatever state we find ourselves

N. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – We can be useful in the state in which we obeyed Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 – Does not seem to indicate a specific plan The person who believes this realizes that God has a part in His life but also that “time and chance” are factors in life as well, Ecclesiastes 9:11. Ultimately, we are to make good choices, based on principles in God’s word, in whatever situation we find ourselves in; God can always use such people. Even if we disobey, God can use our disobedience to accomplish a purpose for Himself if He so chooses. This approach does not require us to attempt the futile task of reading God’s mind and allows us to trust that God will do what is best for us.

O. The first three theories, to some degree, place responsibility on God for our actions

P. Either we are living according to His plan completely and thus He is completely responsible for our actions, or we are fumbling in the dark to discover where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. If we mess up, it is not our foolish decisions but “God must have had a reason.” I think the first three views do not stand on solid Biblical ground. The fourth option places decision making on me and demands that I conform my thinking and decision making to principles outlined in God’s word.

Q. The important thing to realize is that God is in control and can accomplish His will with our without my consent, agreement, or knowledge.

IV. Biblical Examples

A. The nations of the Bible

B. God rules the nations

C. Psalm 22:28 - King of all nations Daniel 4:17 – God rules over all nations and gives to them as He wills Romans 13:1-2 – Powers exist by God’s authority

D. The nations did not have to acknowledge God’s rule to be used by Him

E. God used some nations to punish Israel for her sins

F. Deuteronomy 28:15, 49-51, 64-65 – God bring a nation to punish Israel The nations God used did not worship Him or seek to fulfill His will

G. Assyria

H. Isaiah 10:5-6 – God would send Assyria against ungodly Israel Isaiah 10:7 – Assyria acted in its own interest

I. Babylon

J. Jeremiah 27:5-6 – Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant to punish Judah Jeremiah 50:23-24 – Like Assyria, Babylon acted in self-interest

K. Nation used to deliver Judah from bondage

L. Isaiah 44:28 – God calls Cyrus His servant who will free Judah Isaiah 45:4-5 – Cyrus would be acting in his own self-interest

M. New Testament rulers fulfilled God’s will unintentionally

N. Isaiah 52:15-53:1 – They will do what they have not been told Acts 2:22-24 – Jews acted in self-interest, not in a desire to fulfill God’s plan Acts 3:17-18 – Jewish leaders fulfilled God’s plan unintentionally

O. God’s work in Paul’s life (H. Hailey; Prayer and Providence, p.196-197)

P. Paul desired to go to Rome to teach the gospel (Romans 1:15)

Q. His desire was to travel to Rome to teach the saints and the lost in that city

R. However, he was arrested after his 3rd journey when he returned to Jerusalem He was incarcerated in Jerusalem for about two years for his protection and to await a decision from the Roman government Finally, he was sent to Rome to appear before Caesar

S. Paul eventually arrived in Rome as a prisoner

T. He was allowed to have guests The guards heard the gospel that he preached to those who visited him Philippians 1:12-14 – The circumstances created great opportunities for Paul Paul’s desire was fulfilled though not in the way he planned—God used him in his situation to accomplish His will

V. Lessons for us

A. These examples of God’s providence should give us great comfort

B. We know that He cares for us We know he has the power to take care of us

C. We must give God our cares and let Him accomplish what He will in His time

D. 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Cast our cares on God We should not carry the worries but give them to God who will bear them

E. Do not worry—God is in control

F. Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing“Be anxious for nothing?” Yeah, right! Yet complete trust in God to take care of us will allow us to completely rely on Him to take care of us; trust=no anxiety

G. Mark 4:18-19

H. The cares of the world can choke the life out of the gospel. Are the cares of the world choking the life out of the gospel in our lives because we will not cast our care upon God?

I. Matthew 6:19-34 – Read at the beginning of the service; notice Jesus’ admonition to not worry about the things of this world but to focus on the kingdom and let God worry about the rest

J. Do not borrow from tomorrow’s worries. Most of what we worry about never comes to pass so the time is wasted Give today’s worries to God This should leave us empty handed, except for the peace Paul promised comes to those who cast their cares upon God. Do we trust God to keep His word?

VI. Conclusion: This is ultimately the main point: Do we believe that He has the power and desire to take care of us? The scriptures tell us, overwhelmingly, “Yes.” Do we believe it?