On God's Providence and Our Joy

Verses:

James 1: 2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Acts 17: 26-27: “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us…”

Deuteronomy 29:5: “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.”

Thoughts:

God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He created the world, and He is active in it. Before the foundations of the world were set, God set forth a plan and providentially ordered all things for His ultimate glory. Everything that happens, He has allowed to happen in His perfect knowledge and power. Nothing is accidental. 

So, if we truly believe that God controls all things, which He does, then how does that belief play into our everyday lives?

Since God controls all things, we can trust in Him that every single situation that He puts us in is not only in His control, but it is an exact situation that He chose to grow us as a Christian. Ephesians 2:10 says that God created us, “in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” These good works are not only done by missionaries going to other parts of the world or famous Christian leaders. We in Christ are expected to have good works. These good works are done by you and me, and God gives us a chance to practice them, every single day. Every day is a gift from God, and He has not gifted it to you without reason. Rather than being bored of long car drives or silent at the dinner table, search for how you can be a light for Christ in that situation; search for how you can use that time for God’s glory. Seek to grow as a Christian. God’s providence gives us ordinary joy and faith. 

For those he has chosen and called, God is sharpening them into the shape of his Son. If we are praying that we would grow in the fruits of the Spirit and we are saved by Him, this is a prayer according to His will, and He will sanctify and purify us (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

This ties into 1 Peter 1, where through suffering our faith is refined by fire. This refining by fire is not an easy, quick, painless process that yields momentary happiness. Rather, it is a long, hot, and piercing process which yields eternal fruit. Through trials, we are able to have joy because we trust that God is using our suffering to conform us into God’s image. And, if our chief desire is to glorify God, and the closer we get to the image of His Son the better we can glorify him, we are able to rejoice in suffering, not because of the suffering, but because of God’s work. By His gracious kindness, God makes us more able to please Himself.

Summary: God controls all things. All of history He has providentially ordered for His glory. He is king and is in control of all things. Every situation we are in is ordered by God. Nothing is an accident. We find joy, knowing he uses every little thing for His glory. Look for how God is using a situation. Know he has decided for you to be there. Use your time well, for it is God’s time. 

Ask Yourself: What do you believe about God, and how does this belief impact how you live? What attributes of God do you say you believe, but you don’t show you believe through the way you live? Every day is a gift, how are you using it well? In the day-to-day, ask yourself, “What am I to do as a Christian in this situation? How can I be a light?” This includes even the most mundane things, like car rides with family, eating lunch, and commuting.