Week #1: God's Sovereign Care Over His Creation - Understanding God’s Providence
Blog Series Intention Recap
This four-week series for January teaches us that our lives, plans, and hopes for the future are in good hands. Christians are called to become like Christ in the here and now, entrusting the future to a God who always works for their best in the world. This sermon series reminds us that God’s Providence will take care of tomorrow as long as we live justly today. Join us as we dig into the theological concept of “Providence.”
This post is part of the series “He Holds the Future.” Click here to check out the other posts.
Let’s jump into Week #1:
Providence? What does the concept of providence mean? This old-fashioned word has an important meaning for us today. Let’s look at how Providence is defined:
Providence [ prov-i-duhns ] noun
(often initial capital letter) the foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth.
(initial capital letter) God, especially when realized as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
Providence can be seen throughout Scripture. From Abraham’s ram to Jesus’ sacrificial death, we are faced with Providence, sovereignty, and free will. Today, I want to take a look at a familiar verse from Jeremiah. The focus will be on introducing and delving into the concept of God's providence, specifically in the context of the prophet's message, to help the congregation understand and embrace the idea that God's plans for their future are rooted in His loving care and purpose for their lives.
So today’s Big Idea will be understanding how God's providence shapes our hope for the future. We will learn to trust in God's sovereign care and plans, even in challenging circumstances.
Exploring God's Purposeful Plan
In the larger context of Israel’s history, Jeremiah 29:4-14 stands against a depressing story. Let’s take a look:
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
- Jeremiah 29:’ 4-14
As we look at this story, we see the exile of Israel among the nations. This passage is a part of a larger narrative where God speaks of His intentional guidance for the Israelites. The twelve tribes have rebelled against God. The northern kingdom was obliterated and the southern kingdom was carried into exile. While God did not plan these events, trusting in God’s providence. Despite their exile, God reassures them of His providential care for their future.
Jeremiah 29:4-14 serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans for His people are plans for their welfare and hope.
Seeing Providence in Historical Context
The historical context surrounding Jeremiah's message is a crucial aspect when exploring the providence of God. The Israelites, due to their persistent disobedience and turning away from God's commands, faced the dire consequences of exile. This period of exile was not just a consequence of their actions but a time when they were separated from their homeland, Jerusalem, and taken to Babylon.
Despite their rebellion, God's providential hand was evident. In the midst of their exile, God didn't abandon His people. Instead, He continued to guide them, providing instructions through Jeremiah to live purposefully even in this foreign land. This guidance included surprising directives to build homes, plant gardens, establish families, and seek the welfare of the city where they were forcibly settled.
This surprising command was a manifestation of God's providence. Rather than allowing despair or bitterness to consume them, God encouraged the Israelites to embrace life in their new surroundings. He urged them to invest in the well-being of the Babylonian society, fostering a sense of community and stability.
This remarkable directive showcased God's care and guidance, even in the midst of adverse circumstances. It demonstrated that God's providence extends beyond what we might expect or comprehend. Even in times of exile and hardship caused by their own disobedience, God's care for His people remained steadfast. He ensured that His purposes would still unfold, despite the challenging circumstances they faced.
By recognizing God's providential guidance during the exile, we gain a deeper understanding of how God works in unexpected ways. It encourages us to trust that even in the midst of our own trials and tribulations, God's providence remains at work, guiding and shaping our lives according to His greater purposes.
Trust in the Midst of Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a common thread weaving through the tapestry of human existence. Just as the Israelites faced an unclear and daunting future in exile, we too encounter moments of doubt and unpredictability in our lives. It's during these times of uncertainty that we come to understand the depth of God's providence. Despite the swirling storms of circumstances, God's faithfulness remains unshaken. His unwavering commitment to His people is a beacon of hope in the midst of life's storms. His grip on our future is firm, regardless of the instability we might face. This recognition of His constancy becomes our anchor when the waves of uncertainty threaten to overwhelm us.
Discerning God's Goodness in His Plans
God's plans often diverge from our expectations, yet they unfailingly lead us towards our ultimate good. In the book of Jeremiah, God's promise of a future and hope emerged after a period of discipline and correction for the Israelites. Similarly, in our lives, God's providential plans may entail challenges and corrections, orchestrated not to harm us but to foster our growth and well-being. Though difficult to comprehend at the moment, these refining processes ultimately shape us into individuals more aligned with His divine purposes. God's plans, while not always comfortable or immediately understandable, are always directed toward our betterment, paving the path toward our flourishing and spiritual maturity.
Living with Hope in God's Providence
Encouraging the congregation to anchor their hope in God's providence is a foundational truth. Amidst life's uncertainties, God's plans are unshakeable, unwaveringly secure, and inherently trustworthy. As we align our lives with His will, we find a profound assurance that our future rests securely in His loving hands. This assurance enables us to face each day with confidence and courage, knowing that the One who cares deeply for us is orchestrating our destiny. Therefore, as we navigate the seas of life's uncertainties, our hope is not tethered to fleeting circumstances but anchored firmly in the steadfastness of God's providential care.
So, How Does This Help Me Understand “He Holds the Future”
First, understanding God’s providence to hold the future gives us confidence in his capabilities. God can control the universe and at the same time take care. of me. Knowing this allows me to trust him deeper and better.
Second, understanding God’s providence allows me to endure difficult experiences because I know I can trust Romans 8:28-30. God will work out all the bad things that happen in my life for my good and His Glory.
