Divine Providence

"And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness." (Acts 24: 1, 2)

The Greek word for "providence" means - 1) forethought, providential care, and 2) to make provision for a thing. In Romans 13: 14 it is translated as "make provision" (KJV). It also carries the idea of governance, of "caring for" and of "watching over."

Lord God revealed himself to Abraham, on Mt. Moriah, as JEHOVAH - JIREH, meaning "Yahweh will provide."

"And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." (Genesis 22: 8)

The orator Tertullus, who was hired as a prosecutor against Paul, did what any Sophist and flatterer would do, and began his prosecutorial speech by first "buttering up" the Governor who would decide the case. But, what he said of king Felix is only truly applicable to Lord God himself, and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

We say of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - "by thee we enjoy great quietness," and, by you, Lord God Almighty, "very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence." Instead of saying to men, as Tertullus, "most noble Felix," we have learned not to give "flattering titles to men."

"Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away." (Job 32: 21, 22)

We ought not to say to any creature, in an absolute sense, that it is "by thy providence" that we live, move, and have our being, or enjoy peace, quietness, and prosperity. Earthly governors can only provide as Lord God provides.

To Lord God alone we confess as Bible believers.

"You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit." (Job 1o: 12 NIV)

"Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat." (Job 38: 41)

"Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it." (Psalm 65: 9)

"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. " (Acts 17: 22-28)

"For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations." (Psalm 22: 28)

"The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing." (Psalm 145: 15, 16)

"Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry...He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. " (Psalm 147: 7-9; 15-18)

All these verses destroy the religion and idea known as "Deism." Lord God has not relinguished control and governance of this world, nor any other, to his creatures. He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and Governor of governors, and Benefactor of benefactors.

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Proverbs 15: 3)

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. " (Psalm 127: 1)

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. " (James 1: 17)

"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. " (John 3: 27)

Friend, has Lord God taught you in heart these glorious yet simple truths? Do you see his hand at work in nature and in your own life? Do you see that he is the reason why we have all the good that he have and that things would be much worse for us did he give to all what they strictly deserve? Do you not see that he restrains much evil in the world? Why do we blame him for not restraining more?

But, before we interrogate God and put him on trial, ought we not first to ask ouselves what we have done in regard to restraining evil? Should we not be innocent ourselves, in this regard, before we charge the Almighty and accuse him in relation to how well he is restraining evil and governing his world?