Providence

God’s superintending control over all human choices, actions, and events to effect His predetermined purposes.

Providence is God’s perfect control over natural events to bring about His purposes. God’s providence flows from His sovereign authority, absolute power, and perfect knowledge.

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?”

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord, He turns it wherever He will.”

Isaiah 46:9-10 “…Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’”

Miriam Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines providence as: 1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or application. 2. Foresight; timely care; particularly, active foresight, or foresight accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use, or with suitable preparation.

Personal example: I wanted to learn how to grow and run my Instagram professionally. My in-real-life friend, Natalie, was talking about an online class for this in her stories and I signed up for the class offered by Cynthia. In that class, I learned so much about growing my online presence authentically but more importantly, I met some of the sweetest ladies that were also in that class! I’m talking about Brittney (@the.cocco.channel), and Krista (@threebluebirdslovenest), and Heidi (@heidi_postier). Through Heidi, I met her cousin, Karlie (@karliebloom). Over the last two years, I’ve been given the gift of meeting three out of four of these beautiful ladies and having sweet, spirit-filled conversations with each of them. I am confident that God providentially put me in the same class with them so that we could encourage one another and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for our good and His glory! (2 Peter 3:18 and Romans 8:28-29). I am also excited about some future things the Lord is doing with a few of us and I pray that it will be a blessing to us and to all of you!

What are some ways you’ve seen God’s providence in your own lives? Tell me about it, I love hearing God stories!