C BOSTIAN                          LEARNING TO BE CONTENT                                  7/6/03

 BECAUSE OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD  

      

Matt 6:25-34

25 "So my counsel is: Don't worry about things-- food, drink,

and clothes. For you already have life and a body-- and they

are far more important than what to eat and wear. 26 Look

at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat-- they don't

need to sow or reap or store up food-- for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Will all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies!

They don't worry about theirs. 29 Yet King Solomon in all his

glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. 30 And if God

cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and

gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O men

of little faith? 31 "So don't worry at all about having enough

food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take

pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them.

But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well

that you need them, 33 and he will give them to you if

you give him first place in your life and live as he wants

you to. 34 "So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God

will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.

 

WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTENTMENT IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE.  CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR AND IS NEVER THE RESULT OF OUR POSSESSIONS OR OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.  It’s never just one more happy meal away. PAUL LEANED IN WHATSOEVERE STATE HE WAS IN TO BE CONTENT.  ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS HE LEARNED TO BE CONTENT IN TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES AND DIFFICULT TIMES WAS BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH IN THE PROVIDENCE OF A LOVING GOD.  NOW, WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR ANY OF US BUT WE DO KNOW THE GOD OF THE FUTURE.  AS THE WORDS OF AN OLD SONG GOES: “BECAUSE HE LIVES, I CAN FACE TOMORROW, BECAUSE HE LIVES, ALL FEAR IS GONE, BECAUSE I KNOW HE HOLDS THE FUTURE. AND LIFE IS WORTH THE LIVING JUST BECAUSE HE LIVES.  SO AS WE FINISH THIS MINI SERIES ON CENTENTMENT I WANT TO CONCLUDE WITH SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.  A SIMPLE FAITH IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD WILL KEEP US FROM MURMURRING, COMPLAINING OR FEELING SORRY FOR OURSELVES WHEN DIFFICULT TIMES ARISE AND HELP US TO MAINTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF CONTENTMENT.  SO THIS MORNING WE’RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE DOCTRINE OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

 

NOW, IT’S SO EASY FOR US TO DISCUSS THE DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE, LIKE THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD, AND LEAVE OUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF ALL BIBLICAL DOCTRINE: THE REVELATION OF A PERSONAL, LOVING GOD.  IN FACT, THAT IS ONE OF THE KEY REVELATIONS OF PROVIDENCE.  GOD SEES OUR NEED BEFORE IT EXISITS AND MAKES PROVISION FOR IT. 

 

Jer 33:2-3

2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

 

Isa 65:23-24

23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

 

Rev 1:8

8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

 

NOW, LET’S LOOK AT THIS CONCEPT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AS THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.  THE WORD PROVIDENCE I=COMES FROM THE LATIN WORD PROVIDINCIA THAT MEANS FORESIGHT, THE ABILITY TO SEE AHEAD.  WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PROVIDENCE OR PROVISION, PRO MEANS AHEAD OR BEFORE AND VIDENCIA WE GET OUR WORD VIDEO, MEANS TO SEE.  SO THE LATIN WORD FOR PROVIDENCE MEANS TO SEE AHEAD.  WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PROVISION OR PROVIDENCE OF GOD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FORESIGHT OF GOD OR THE ABILITY HE HAS TO SEE AHEAD.

 

One dictionary says: a prime characteristic of rational beings that they plan with reference to a purpose or a goal.  Squirrels store acorns in preparation for winter but I’m talking about a higher level of providence for you and me.  Every person functions in a level of providence or foesight when they take a trip.  They think ahead. WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE BUT BECAUSE OUR HUMAN LEVEL OF PROVIDENCE IS LIMITED BY PARTIAL FORESIGHT WE INEVITABLLY FORGET TO BRING SOMETHING LIKE A TOOTHBRUSH OR DEODERANT OR AN UMBRELLA BECAUSE WE FORGOT TO PLAN FOR RAIN.  THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD HAS NO SUCH LIMITATIONS BECAUSE GOD HAS PERFECT FORESIGHT AND KNOWS WHAT WE HAVE NEED OF BEFORE WE ASK AND PROVIDES FOR THAT NEED.  That is the providence of god in a nut shell. 

 

Phil 4:19

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Heb 4:14-16

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

You see, we can get caught up in discussing whether the doctrine of providence is based on calvinism or armaninism or whether it involves absolute predestination. BUT we forget that behind all biblical doctrine is a loving, caring heavenly father who sees our needs even before they exist and has promised to provide for all of them as our opening texts suggest.  Our posture needs to be one of child-like trust, confidence, faith and obedience.

 

Providence is the loving oversight of the heavenly father who can be touched with the feelings of our weaknesses and infirmities.  John dawson writes about the fatherhood of god: “ we often forget that god’s very attributes of omnicisnec (all knowing) and omnipresence ( god is every where)  must necessarily involve him with every detail of our lives.   The bible seems to indicate that contrary to the passionless apathy picture adopted in much of the western theology, god is deeply moved, affected and touched by the pressures, problems and persoanl heartbreak people go through.”

Jer 8:20-22

20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

 

THE BALM OF GILEAD IS SPEAKING ABOUT AN OINTMENT FOR HEALING THE PEOPLE OF GOD.   GOD IS TOUCHED WITH THE HURT OF HIS CHILDREN AND IN HIS PROVIDENCE HE CARES FOR THEM AS NATURALLY AS A FATHER TO A SON OR DAUGHTER.  BEHIND THE DOCTRINE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE IS THE REVELATION OF A LOVING, CARING HEAVENLY FATHER.  THE BIBLE IS FULL OF EXAMPLES OF GOD’S LOVING PROVIDENCE FOR HIS PEOPLE.  I WANT TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE THIS MORNING BUT BEFORE I DO I MUST REITERATE ANOTHER ASPECT OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.

Eph 1:9-11

9 God has made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 

What does that word “providence” mean to you? According to Biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann, providence is "the hidden, patient, sovereign enactment of God’s overriding purpose beyond the will and choice of human agents."   IN OTHER WORDS, GOD PROVIDENCE IS BASED ON HIS WILL AND PURPOSE AND NOT OUR OWN.  THE SAFEST PLACE THAT YOU CAN LIVE IS IN THE CENTER OF GOD’S WILL AND PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.  IT IS THERE THAT YOU WILL FIND HIS PROVIDENCE AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE.  OUR PART IS TO TRUST AND OBEY, HIS PART IS TO PROVIDE FOR ALL OF OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY, BY JESUS CHRIST.  The truth of Providence is this: God actually brings about all things that He has willed, directing them to the glory of Jesus Christ revealed in the last days.

 

Rom 8:27-30

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did Pre-destinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 

Reinhold Niebuhr says, “God’s providential working in history by which he ... transmutes good out of evil." In other words: God takes all the various circumstances of our lives -- even when they are far, far less than perfect; and, over time, fashions something good and useful out of them. We call that “providence.” This idea of the providence of God is really nothing more than an extension of our belief that our God is a personal God. That belief rises up out of our experience of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ. Because we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, because we have come to know him as our Savior and Lord, we know that God is at work in our world, in its mode of operation and in its history. As Paul says, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him." Everything. Not some things. Not just happy things. Everything. That, my friends is the Providence of god.

Heb 5:8-9

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

 

Gal 5:6-7

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

 

Rom 2:8-11

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

 

God has a predetermined purpose for your life and mine that is central to knowing and obeying the revelaed will of god. The general will of god is that god will use every circumstance in life to bring about an increase in conformity to the character of christ.  The end result being the glory of god.  We must see that the providence of god is an act of his grace which gives us hope for the promise of his provision for our lives.  However, The promise of god’s provision is contingient upon our obedience to his will and purpose. Every act of his providence will either provide for your future needs or restore you to an active prusuit of his will and purpose for your life.  So let’s look at some scriptures that speak to us about the importance of the will of god.

 

Heb 10:36-39

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of

God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he

that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall

live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure

 in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;

but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

I Jn 2:17

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he

 that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

LET ME SUMMERIZE WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED SO FAR THIS MORNING.  GOD’S GRACE AND PROVIDIENCE GIVE US THE HOPE AND ASSURANCE THAT GOD HAS GONE BEFORE US AND MADE PROVISION FOR ALL OUR FUTURE NEEDS.   OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD IS CENTRAL TO THE WORKING OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. WHEN WE SUBMIT OUR LIVES TO HIS LORDSHIP AND PERSONAL CARE WE ARE NEVER A VICTIM.  WE NEVER HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL SORRY FOR OURSELVES AND MAKE OTHER PEOPLE PAY FOR THE DIFFICULTIES IN OUR LIFE BECAUSE WE TRUST IN GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL GRACE TO REDEEM AND RESTORE.  WHEN WE ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE HAS GONE BEFORE AND IS ALREADY THERE AND HAS MADE PROVISION BEFORE THE NEED ARISES.  THERE IS A DIVINE PLAN TO MY LIFE AND NOT JUST A RANDOM LOTTERY OF EVENTS.

 

NOW LET’S LOOK AT A INCIDENT IN THE BIBLE THAT CONVEYS THE IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE AS A CONTINGENCY FOR THE FULFILLING OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE.

 

IKing 17:8-16

8 Then the Lord said to him, "Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. There is a widow there who will feed you. I have given her my instructions." 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the city he saw a widow gathering sticks; and he asked her for a cup of water. 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, "Bring me a bite of bread too." 12 But she said, "I swear by the Lord your God that I haven't a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jar. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I must die of starvation." 13 But Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go ahead and cook that 'last meal,' but bake me a little loaf of bread first; and afterwards there will still be enough food for you and your son. 14 For the Lord God of Israel says that there will always be plenty of flour and oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!" 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil as long as it was needed.

16 For no matter how much they used, there was always plenty left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah!

 

NOW HERE WE SEE ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD DURING A FAMINE.  GOD’S PROPHET ELIJAH IS GOING TO NEED FOOD DURING A FAMINE SO HE SENDS HIM TO THE LEAST LIKELY PLACE TO PROVIDE FOR HIS NEED.  NOW, NOT ONLY DOES A PROPHET NEED FOOD BUT SO DOES A WIDOW AND HER SON.  GOD’S ALREADY GONE BEFORE AND PROVIDED THE WIDOW WITH SOME FLOUR FOR FOOD BUT ITS RUNNING OUT.  WHEN ELIJAH OBEYS AND GOES TO THE WIDOW FOR FOOD AND WHEN THE WIDOW OBEYS AND MAKES HIM A CUPCAKE OF HER FINAL RATIONS, THE GOD OF PROVISION SUPERNATURALLY PROVIDES FOR ALL THREE OF THEM TO SUSTAIN LIFE THROUGH THE ENTIRE FAMINE.  YOU SEE, A LITTLE OBEDIENCE WILL RELEASE THE POWER OF THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE TO MEET ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY.  SO WON’T YOU TRUST HIM TODAY AND CAST ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU AND HAS GONE BEFORE AND MADE PROVISION BEFORE YOUR NEED.

 

HERE IS ANOTHER HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE AT WORK IN 3 MILLION PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE OBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN, MOSES.

 

Ps 77:15-20

15 You have redeemed us who are the sons of Jacob and of Joseph by your might. 16 When the Red Sea saw you, how it feared! It trembled to its depths! 17 The clouds poured down their rain, the thunder rolled and crackled in the sky. Your lightning flashed. 18 There was thunder in the whirlwind; the lightning lighted up the world! The earth trembled and shook. 19 Your road led by a pathway through the sea-- a pathway no one knew was there! 20 You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

 

Ps 105:26-43

26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. 29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. 30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. 31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. 32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. 33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. 40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. 41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. 43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

 

AFTER 40 YEARS OF WILDERNESS TRAINING GOD CALLS MOSES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE FROM EGYPTIAN OPPRESSION.  MOSES BALKS, REFUSES AND CLAIMS HIS INABILITY BUT GOD GIVES HIM A STAFF OR A ROD IN HIS HAND TO DO MANY MIGHTY SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES THAT BREAKS THIS EGYPTIAN OPPRESSION AND SETS HIS PEOPLE FREE.  SO GOD BRINGS 3 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH THE RED SEA INTO THE DESERT WHERE THEY WILL BE HUNGRY, THIRSTY AND SUBJECT TO EXTREME TEMPRATURES.  WHAT DOES HE DO TO PROVIDE: A CLOUD BY DAY TO PROVIDE SHADE AND A FIREY PILLAR BY NIGHT TO KEEP THEM WARM.  HE GIVES THEM WATER OUT OF A ROCK.  EVERYTHING IS PROVIDED FOR THEM BEFORE THEY ENTER THE EXTREMES OF DESERT LIVING.  GOD, IN HIS PROVIDENCE HAS PROVIDED FOR THEM BEFORE THE NEED WAS THERE.  UNFORTUNATELY THEY STILL FOUND SOMETHING TO MURMUR AND COMPLAIN ABOUT BECAUSE THEY NEVER LINKED CONTENTMENT WITH THIS DOCTRINE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE.  AS WE TRUST IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD WE CAN BE CONTENT IN ANY SITUATION.

 

LISTEN, ARE YOU GETTING ENCOURAGED THIS MORNING.  YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THAT THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE IS AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE PROVIDING FOR YOU NEEDS BEFORE THEY EVEN EXIST.  NOW LET’S LOOK AT ANOTHER ONE THIS MORNING: SAMSON.

Judg 15:11-17

11 Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them. 12 And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. 13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock. 14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.  15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. 16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. 17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.

 

HERE WE SEE THAT ISRAEL IS UNDER THE DOMINATION OF THE PHILISTINES AND THEIR ATTACKING JUDAH FOR WHAT SAMSON HAS DONE TO THEM.  SO JUDAH SENDS EMBASARRIES TO SAMSON TO BEG HIM TO SURRENDER TO THEM.  THEY WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR BROTHER TO SAVE THEIR OWN NECKS.  SO SAMSON SAYS, IF YOU WON’T KILL ME THEN I WILL LET YOU TIE ME UP AND SEND ME TO THE PHILISTINES.  SO THEY TIE HIM UP AND SEND HIM TO THE PHILISTINES.  YES, IT HAPPENS IN EVERY CHURCH: YOU HAVEN’T BEEN HAD TILL YOU’VE BEEN HAD BY A BROTHER.  THAT REALLY HURTS BUT YOU HAVE TO GET OVER IT.  SO SAMSON GOES TIED AND BOUND BUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD COMES ON HIM AND HE BREAKS THROSE ROPES AND IMMEDIATELY LOOKS FOR A WEAPON AND FINDS THE JAWBONE OF A DONKEY.  HE PICKS IT UP AND KILLS 1,000 OF THE ENEMY.  NOW WATCH, GOD KNEW BEFORE THAT THIS MAN WOULD NEED A WEAPON.  SO, SOVERIGN GOD CHOOSES A PARTICULAR ANIMAL TO DIE AT A PARTICULAR TIME, AT A PARTICULAR PLACE BECAUSE THE ALL KNOWING, ALL POWERFUL AND SOVERIGN GOD OF THE UNIVERSE FOREKNEW IN DAYS TO COME, ONE OF MY BOYS IS GONNA NEED A WEAPON TO ESCAPE THE HANDS OF HIS ENEMIES.  WHEN THAT DONKEY LAID DOWN AND DIED THE COYOTES CAME AND STRIPPED THE MEAT OFF THAT CARCASS UNTIL THEY WERE FINISHED WITH IT.  THEN THE BUZZARDS CAME AND RIPPED OFF WHAT WAS LEFT AND ATE IT.  THEN THE ANTS GOT ON IT AND ATE IT CLEAN TO THE BONE.  AND THEN GOD SAYS: “IS EVERYBODY FINISHED WITH THIS DONKEY?  AND WHEN EVERYBODY WAS THROUGH WITH THAT DONKEY IT HAD ITS FINEST HOUR.  I’VE GOT TO SAY, THAT SOME OF YOU OLD DONKEYS, WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY IS DONE WITH YOU IN LIFE; IT COULD BE YOU HAVEN’T HAD YOUR FINEST HOUR YET.  SO GOD HAD THAT DONKEY LAY DOWN AND DIE AT THE RIGHT PLACE AND AT THE RIGHT TIME SO THAT WHEN SAMPSON BROKE LOOSE HE FOUND A WEAPON TO TRIUMPH OVER HIS ENEMIES.  NOW IF SAMSON WASN’T OBDEIENT AND IN THE WILL OF GOD, THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR HIM.  YOU SEE, ITS IN OUR OBEDIENCE, EVEN A LITTLE OBEDIENCE, GOD GOES AHEAD OF YOU TO MAKE PROVISION FOR YOU AND YOUR NEEDS.  THAT’S WHY YOU SHOULDN’T BE AFRAID AND LEARN TO BE CONTENT WHEN THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES CROSS YOUR PATH AND MINE.  WHEN WE OBEY GOD, HE WILL GO BEFORE YOU AND IN HIS PROVIDENCE, HE WILL PROVIDE FOR YOUR NEEDS.  YOUR PART IS NOT WORRY, FEAR AND DOUBT BUT LEARN TO BE CONTENT WITH SIMPLE FAITH AND OBEDIENCE TO THE REVEALED WILL OF GOD.  HE HAS PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.

 

1 Pet 5:7

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

1 Pet 5:7-11

7 Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.

8 Be careful-- watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. 9 Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too. 10 After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever.

11 To him be all power over all things, forever and ever. Amen.

 

God’s providence IS His foresight, His timely care and His generous kindness. People who are unwilling to trust and obey the Lord’s providence will always be prisoners of their fears, anger or faulty assumptions BUT THERE IS A BETTER WAY BECAUSE:

 

2 Tim 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,

and of love, and of a sound mind.