John Piper, an American theologian once remarked: “Divine providence is never frustrated by Satan in its plan for this world - for the everlasting good of God’s people in the all-satisfying praise of the glory of his grace.” Hebrews 1:3 reminds us: “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Divine providence has been ascribed as the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power. It is the belief that God, in His abiding love and grace, actively guides and protects the world and its inhabitants. It may resemble the prodigious fortunes in life that can be identified as a special gift from God. It reveals the fact that God is not simply a passive guardian, but is involved in all aspects of creation, working towards a positive fortuitous outcome. This includes guiding human destiny, preserving creation, and working out all things for the good of all, even in the face of extreme adversity.
Providence reflects the beneficial and cosmopolitan sovereignty of God’s plans for the world in general, often through the thoughts and actions of mankind. However, these are guided solely at God’s hand. It attempts to convey all that is good and deter all that is bad even if sometimes, elements of suffering or hardship are necessary in the structure of the scheme. The concept of providence implies that God governs the world and cares for its welfare, which means that even negative events like hardship, illness or suffering are seen as part of God's overall plan. However, some individuals may find it difficult to understand or accept the goodness of God's providence when they experience pain or hardship. Additionally, the idea of divine providence has been interpreted conversely across various belief systems, and some elucidations may not view every event as inherently good.
Life is known to consist of both goodness and badness. These are the opposing forces that could be said to represent the human experiences of learning and growth. When we make mistakes, we often glean knowledge from them. These factors allow for discerning appropriate future choices to be made in the light of past experiences. The story of Noah is a typical example of divine providence. Genesis 6:1-22 reminds us: “When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.
Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”
Divine providence includes the availability of salvation for those who seek it. It is not only the ongoing intervention of God to guide and illuminate the correct pathway in life, but a specific plan that includes the redemption and salvation of humanity through the sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 confirms: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Forgiveness is deeply intertwined with God's grace and love. Forgiveness, particularly in a religious context, is often seen as a manifestation of God's grace and love for humanity, offering a way to reconcile with God after wrongdoing. God's grace is understood as an undeserved favor, while love is often presented as the fundamental nature of God that drives this forgiveness. Martin Luther King Jr, an American minister and activist once remarked: “Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.”
New beginnings and goodness can emerge from past ill-merited actions through the power of divine providence. The all-encompassing love and care of God suggests that even from destructive or negative actions, God can choreograph positive outcomes and an even greater spiritual growth that orchestrate the harmonic and melodious symphonies of life. Genesis 50:15-21 reminds us: “When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Amen.
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