PROVIDENCE
(See GOVERNMENT, God's)
Providence is the foresight to provide for particular needs. While Scripture refers to human providence (e.g., Genesis 45:11; Acts 24:2; 1 Timothy 5:8), instances of divine providence predominate. God's providence is His sovereign and gracious care for His creation (Psalms 145:14-16; Nehemiah 9:6), particularly for His redeemed people (Deuteronomy 1:31; Psalms 37:28; Matthew 6:30-33). Divine providence functions according to God's perfect character (Psalms 145:17). The manifestation of God's goodness through providence is a major form of general revelation (Acts 14:17; 17:22-29; cf. Romans 1:18-23; 2:4) (see also REVELATION, general).
characteristics of
administration of:
♦ from the Father:
♦ through Christ:
♦ by the Spirit:
extent of:
over the universe
♦ the heavenly bodies
♦ calamitous earthly events
♦ the weather
♦ productivity of the ground
♦ over animal and plant life
♦ over the nations and governmental authorities
• Deuteronomy 32:8; 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Kings 12:15; Ezra 1:1; Job 12:23-24; Psalms 22:28; 66:7; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 10:5-6; 13:1-5; Daniel 4:17, 34-35; Habakkuk 1:1-17; Luke 1:52; Acts 4:24-28; 5:38-39; 17:26; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Revelation 5:10; 11:15, 18; 19:11-21
♦ over Israel
• Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 1:30-31; 32:9-14; Psalms 73:1; Isaiah 63:9; Romans 11:26-29; Revelation 7:4-8; 12:1-6, 16
over individuals
♦ general
• Genesis 20:3-6; Exodus 4:11; 9:16; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; Ezra 7:27; Esther 1:1-10:3 especially 4:14; Psalms 31:20; 73:2-14; 75:6-7; 104:10; 136:25; 139:13-15; Proverbs 16:1, 33; 19:21; 21:1; Isaiah 45:1-6; Matthew 5:45; John 9:1-3; Acts 14:17; 17:25-29; Romans 2:4; Galatians 6:7-8; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 4:10; Hebrews 9:27
♦ believers
• Genesis 6:8-9:29; 28:15; 50:20; 2 Samuel 5:23-25; 1 Kings 17:4, 9; 19:1-8; 1 Chronicles 4:10; Nehemiah 2:12; Psalms 31:15; 33:18-20; 84:11; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 1:5; Daniel 1:9; Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19-20; 6:25-34; 10:29-31; Luke 1:15; 12:32; 22:35; John 15:16; Acts 9:15; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 9:10-11; Galatians 1:15-16; 2:7; Philippians 1:6; 2:27; 4:19; I Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:9; 3:10
♦ means of
• Genesis 8:22; Exodus 14:21-31; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 55:11 (cf. Colossians 3:16); Matthew 1:20 (cf. Acts 16:9-10); Acts 16:6-8; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 16:9
purpose of:
♦ glory of God:
♦ good of believers:
♦ response to
• Genesis 24:27; Job 1:20-21; Psalms 103:1-14; Luke 17:15; Acts 21:14; 2 Corinthians 9:10-11; Ephesians 1:3; I Thessalonians 5:18; James 4:15; Revelation 11:16-17; 19:1-2
This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.