Quite Providential

Francis Bourdillon, 1873

"It really seems quite providential!" said Mrs. Roberts, as she finished telling the story of her husband's accident. "It really seems quite providential — the doctor's happening to go that road; for it's an out-of-the-way place, and my husband might have lain for hours, and nobody passed by; and then, the doctor said the limb might never have come together again properly, besides my husband's freezing to death. But now, if it was to be at all, nothing could have happened better, for the doctor himself passed by in his carriage in less than a quarter of an hour, and he and his driver lifted him in and brought him home and got him to bed, and the poor leg was set and bound up all comfortable before there was time for any harm to come. It seems quite providential."

Mrs. Roberts spoke as if she was surprised at anything happening providentially. She seemed to think that generally things come about by chance — but that on this occasion, strange to say, God had been pleased to interpose. She was not quite sure of it even in this case, but she almost thought it must be so: "It really seems quite providential," said she.

Many people are like her — people who are called Christians, and profess to believe in God. If something happens unexpectedly which gets them out of a difficulty, or if some pressing need is relieved in a way which no one could have thought of — then they say it is "quite providential." But their very words show that they do not think most things are providential, or they would not be so much surprised.

This is quite wrong. It is not one thing only now and then, which happens providentially. All things happen according to the decree, purpose, and provision of God. A thousand means and instruments may be used — yet He orders and overrules all. Almighty God does not concern Himself about one thing, and not about another. He does not leave most things to chance — and only now and then step in "quite providentially," as Mrs. Roberts seemed to think, and as many other people seem to think.

That was not the only day on which God had cared for John Roberts and ordered things for his good. If Mrs. Roberts had been better informed, she might have said about what was happening not only to her husband, but to herself also, every day, "It is quite providential."

And so may we all say. A watchful eye is over us continually. A kind and gracious care is bestowed on our concerns. Every day and every hour — providence, God's providence, is directing all of our affairs.

There is no such thing as chance. "The lot is cast into the lap — but its every decision is from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). We speak of chance and of luck — because we see things turn out differently with different people and at different times, and we see no reason why they should do so. But the true reason is, that God so orders it. We do not hear the order given, or see the hand that works — and so we speak of chance and luck; but we ought to trace all to divine Providence.

"But does God concern Himself about little things?" I hear someone say. Why, what is of less importance than a sparrow? Yet our Savior said, "Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will" (Matthew 10:29); and He added, speaking to His disciples, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered."

What did he mean? Surely this: that God took account of their smallest concerns, and that not the least harm or loss could happen to them without His permission. Besides, who knows what is really little and what is really great? What seems a mere trifle — may have a most important effect. It may be no less than a question of life or death, which way a man turns when he leaves his door. Five minutes sooner or later, may affect all a man's prospects. A stoppage in the street may make the doctor too late to save life. We talk in great ignorance when we parcel off things into great and little. Very often, what seem the least things — are really the greatest.

He who knows and loves God, rejoices in the thought that all his concerns are ordered by God. It would give him comparatively little comfort to be told that God cared for him now and then — and occasionally interposed in his affairs. He knows better than this, for he believes what the word of God says — and the word of God speaks to him thus: "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" (Romans 8:28). In this belief he lives — and it is the comfort of his life. And so he is not surprised when some evident token of God's providential care appears. He is thankful, but not surprised. For he believes gratefully that, not only now, but at all times — God cares for him.

But is this providence of God over all? Certainly it is. God is loving unto every man, and His goodness is over all His works. But in a special sense the believer may exclaim, "Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You!" (Psalm 31:19). It is of those who love God, that it is written that God causes all things to work together for good. It is to those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, that the promise is given that they shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The sense of God's watchful care in providence is only fully realized by those who first know His goodness in grace.

But all may be yours, if you seek God by Jesus Christ, who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." They who now love God and are happy in his fatherly care — were not always as they are now. They became so by a true and living faith in Christ, and by a change of heart wrought in them by the Holy Spirit. The same way is open to you. Be no longer a stranger to God, to His pardon, His providence, His peace, His love. Seek Him by Jesus Christ — seek Him now!