PROVIDENCE

PART 3

 

Special Providence

 

In this, our last on the topic of providence, we want to consider special providence. When we speak of “special providence,” we are thinking primarily of two things. First, God works by His providence in the lives of those who diligently seek the truth. Second, He works providentially in the interest of Christian people. Let us consider each of these.

 

God knows of those who long for the truth (see Acts 16:6-10), and promises that they who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). He has the ability to work within the circumstances of human activity to bring about His desire. It is then reasonable to see that God’s providence may be used to assist those who are searching to find and serve their Maker.

 

The case of the runaway slave, Onesimus, may be such an incident. We read of Onesimus in Paul’s letter to Philemon, Onesimus’ master. Onesimus ran away from his master and made his way to Rome, where he encountered the apostle Paul. Paul led Onesimus to the truth. Commenting upon this matter, the apostle sees the possibility of providence in this situation. He writes: “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 15-16). In discussing the verb “departed” some scholars have suggested that it “may contain a conviction of the divine overruling … to denote the hidden action of God as an agent responsible for what is done” (A Linguistic Key to the Greek Testament,).

 

There are many promises in the New Testament which affirm that God will answer the prayers of His people and work in their lives. However, He is not working miraculously (see 1 Corinthians 13:8-10), so He operates providentially. Things that may appear perfectly natural, are, perhaps, being directed by Jehovah! Here is a case in point. “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Romans 1:9-10). Near the end of the letter (Romans 15:30-32) he urges them to join him in prayer that he might be able to visit them. Paul wanted to visit with the church in Rome and asked that God grant his request. God answered Paul’s prayers, but in His own providential way! Consider the following facts:

Ø      Following his arrest in Jerusalem, The Lord told Paul that he would not die in Jerusalem; rather, he would bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11).

Ø      To save his life from a Jewish mob that had vowed to murder him, Roman officials sent Paul to Caesarea by night (23:31ff), where, he was imprisoned for two years (24:27).

Ø      Finally, when he concluded that he would get no justice from the authorities, exercising his right as a Roman citizen, the apostle appealed his case to Caesar (25:11).

Ø      In early autumn (cir. A.D. 60), he was put on a ship bound for Rome (27:1). En route, the vessel was wrecked and all hope of being saved was abandoned (27:30). But an angel appeared to the apostle and promised: “You must stand before Caesar” (27:24).

Ø      The following spring, safe and sound, Paul arrived in Rome (28:16). His prayers (and those of the Roman saints) had been answered, but through the mysterious workings of divine providence!

 

Let God’s people rejoice and live each day with calm confidence. We may not understand everything about providence, but we can live with the assurance that God is an abiding presence in our daily existence.

--Lamar