God’s providence is God’s preservation of creation, the provision of needs, the working all things out to accomplish His sovereign purpose, and the control over history. God preserves creation by means of controlling nature and its processes (Ps. 147:8; 17; Job 37; Am. 5:8; 9:6). God preserves creation by providing for and satisfying the needs of all people (Matt. 5:45; Acts 17:24-25), most notably through the provision of food (Job 38:39-41; Ps. 104:14; 21; 147:9; Matt. 6:26). Just as He gives the provision of life (Gen. 2:7; 1Sam. 2:6; Job 1:21; 1Cor. 8:6; Jam. 4:15), He can take that provision of life away (Gen. 2:17; 1Sam. 1:27; Job 1:21; 12:10; Ps. 102:23; 104:29-30; Dan. 5:23). God preserves creation by working all things out to accomplish His sovereign, good purpose through His moving hand (Num. 23:19; Is. 55:10-11; Dan. 4:35; Rom. 8:28; 1Tim. 4:10), such as where we are located in the world (1Cor. 16:7) and even when and where we teach the Gospel (Heb. 6:3).
God also preserves creation by sovereignly controlling history (Dan. 2:21). The page that separates Malachi and Matthew represents 400 silent years. Like in a theater production, God was the stage-crew, setting the stage at intermission for what was to come in Act II. Three key things occurred in those 400 years: 1) Alexander the Great, son of Philip of Macedon, decreed the entire kingdom speak a unified language, Koine-Greek; 2) military peace ensued; and 3) an improved transportation system. These three providential circumstances made the vast and rapid growth of the Church after the resurrection of Jesus possible. These events meant the New Testament was in a language that all the people could understand which stands in stark contrast to the Jewish tradition of the Old Testament. Moreover, the movement of the New Testament’s message was able to spread farther and faster.
God also preserves creation by sovereignly controlling history (Dan. 2:21). The page that separates Malachi and Matthew represents 400 silent years. Like in a theater production, God was the stage-crew, setting the stage at intermission for what was to come in Act II. Three key things occurred in those 400 years: 1) Alexander the Great, son of Philip of Macedon, decreed the entire kingdom speak a unified language, Koine-Greek; 2) military peace ensued; and 3) an improved transportation system. These three providential circumstances made the vast and rapid growth of the Church after the resurrection of Jesus possible. These events meant the New Testament was in a language that all the people could understand which stands in stark contrast to the Jewish tradition of the Old Testament. Moreover, the movement of the New Testament’s message was able to spread farther and faster.
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