DIVINE PROVIDENCE

November 16 

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to do what has happened on this day, to keep many people alive. Genesis 50:20

There are many things that come our way which we may not understand. There are trials and struggles we face. There are also others we love who go through things which we would rather never have happened. How do we move forward with a confidence that God is in charge and things are not out of His control?  

Among the things we do not fully understand is how God is able to work through all things in order to accomplish His greater purposes. We call this Divine Providence. It is taught in the Scriptures that God works through circumstances to bring about His will. This includes all we see around us which may appear random but in truth is not.  

The terrible things Joseph’s brothers had done to him while they were young, to some people might be unforgivable. It was sin for them to sell him into slavery over their jealousy. Yet, we remember all the amazing things Joseph was then able to do in Egypt. Even to the point of becoming first in command under Pharaoh! As a result many people were saved from starvation and he had a tremendous influence in the Kingdom. 

We actually already believe in Providence when we say, “Everything happens for a reason.” In this statement we acknowledge that all seemingly trivial happenings are being directed by and moving all things in the direction of the end of all things.  

One day, yet unfulfilled prophecy will be fulfilled. Many of those things will happen by the free choice of millions of individuals. Yet it brings about God’s predetermined end. How amazing is our God! 

Matt Foreman