Introduction:

1. Having shown that God is, and He can, we must know that He will.

2. It is when we tie the infinite power of God with the surety of His benevolent intentions that our hope reaches full bloom.

Discussion:

I. Providence Defined

A. The basic meaning is foresight or forethought which implies “…a goal and a definite purpose and plan for attaining that end (ISBE).

B. Though the word is rare in the Bible, the concept is everywhere.

II. Two Types of Providence

A. General providence describes God’s provision for all the living (Genesis 1:28-30; 8:22; Psalms 104:14; Matthew 5:45; 6:26; Acts 14:17).

B. Special providence is about God’s special care for the faithful.

1. The NT repeatedly affirms God will provide for His own (Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 3:6; Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 3:12).

2. The overarching aim of this is to develop faithfulness in us, so that our eternity is secured (Romans 8:29-30; 2 Peter 1:3-4).

III. Providence Demonstrated

A. This does not mean God gives an easy life to His people.

1. Bad things happen to good people: Abel, Joseph, Job, Jesus, etc.

2. Good things also happen to bad people (Psalms 73:1-12).

B. Throughout these narratives, we can see God moving history to its terminal point in Christ (Galatians 4:4; Genesis 50:20; Esther 4:13-14).

C. Even hardships can be tools He uses to shape us for His eternal kingdom (Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:15-17; Hebrews 12:9-11; James 1:2-4).

D. If God could use those situations to bring about His eternal purposes, He can and will do so with our own (Romans 8:28).

E. He is worthy of our faith and faithfulness (2 Timothy 1:12; 4:17-18).

1. What a blessing to know God is, God can, and God will.

2. With this knowledge in hand, we can simply focus our attention on pursuing the kingdom, and He will provide the rest (Luke 12:22-34).