THE DEFINITION OF PROVIDENCE
A. THE WORD...
1. The word "provide" (from Latin providere) means etymologically
"to foresee" - ISBE
2. The corresponding Greek word, pronoia, means "forethought"
- ibid.
3. The Greek word is actually found only twice in the Scriptures
a. Translated "foresight" (providence, KJV), and applied to
Felix - Ac 24:2
b. Translated "provision" in Ro 13:14
Photo:City of Providence USA.
B. THE CONCEPT...
1. Forethought and foresight imply a future end, a goal and a
definite purpose and plan for attaining that end - ISBE
2. The word "providence" has come to be used...to signify that
preparation, care, and supervision which are necessary to
secure a desired future result - ibid.
3. Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote
God's preserving and governing all things by means of second
causes - Easton
4. While miraculous acts of God can be described as providential,
the concept of providence is generally used to describe His
care through natural means
Nomads or Pilgrims ?.
To be on a pilgrimage means that we are not just going anywhere in life. We are not just looking for the place where the grass is greener, but that
we realize there is a destination that is actually beyond life that God is calling us to and part of this pilgrimage means that God is our companion
along the way.
If you are a Nomad you just pick out wherever the next place seems right. Most Fulani Cattle Herdsmen do this they wander around the country in
search of Good grass and water .They also take care to avoid places where disease and predators abound.
. If you are a pilgrim you might have to go through some places that you don't want to go because the destination is beyond. And so we looked at
that and the fact that there is a big choice, a choice of repentance that has to come into our lives.
The primary difference between a nomad and pilgrim, is that you have decided not to listen to the lies around us the quareels,strifes and domestic
attritions we face at home and at work pale in comparison to the singular commandment of God.We should love our neighbour as ourselves, but
instead as we hear God's voice and respond to that by turning from the old ways and turning to His way.There is a saying "It is my way or the
highway" but The law of God says "it is God's way or the Highway to HELL ! "
Now this week we are looking at this issue of providence. This idea of providence is that God has created and controls the world so; therefore, God is
involved in the everyday life to provide and to protect. And so, that is what providence means, is that God is the one who protects in creation, God is
the one who provides for us in creation.
Now Psalm 121 is an amazing Psalm that talks about this issue of providence, of God being involved to watch over us and keep us. So I would like to
look at that verse together, but I would like us to read it together. So if you would pull it up on the screen, I would like us to stand and read the
scripture this morning together.
"I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot
slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the
Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch
over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
People might tell you that you are going nowhere because they hear about your dreams and aspirations and this is mostly out of thier ignorance as
they have no idea where you are coming from.
John 3:8 says clearly,The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is
with everyone born of the Spirit."
Let's pray: Lord we thank you for this your word and pray that you will open our eyes to whatever we need to know and hear, for we ask it in Jesus'
name. Amen
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