Oct. 13, 2025
Do you believe that God works his will on earth today? Do you believe that Christ is on His throne but has nothing to do with events today? Do you believe that God “works all things together for good?” Do you believe in Prayer? Do you believe there is spiritual warfare between the forces of evil ( principalities and powers ) and the forces of good? Do you believe you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God and an alien to the non-Christian world? Do you believe you are to be “in the world, but not of the world?” Your answers to these questions determine your reaction to what happens in the world—both good and evil.
I have always been impressed by the unwavering belief of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. in the Providence of God—regardless of their particular doctrinal beliefs. For example: 1) “We have Reason to rejoice in the prospect that the present National Government, which by the favor of Divine Providence, was formed by the common Counsels, and peaceably established with the common consent of the People …” -George Washington 2) “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs the World by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped”-Benjamin Franklin 3) “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, and with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”-Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.
Do we believe in the Providence of God? If you do how do you know except by faith? Assuming it is true, how is God’s Providence accomplished? We do not know as God’s ways are not our ways. There are hints in the Old and New Testaments of this. Does God use adulterers and murderers to accomplish His will? David was both and God used Him to bring—through his linage—Christ into the world. Paul apparently imprisoned and sought the death of many Christians but became the principal evangelist to the Gentile world. Moses, a murderer; Jacob, a deceiver; Rahab, a prostitute; Peter, a denier and coward and many others.
This week of Oct 12 we have seen the war in Israel and Hamas hostages returned and potential for a lasting peace. Do we know for certain God this was God’s will—no we do not. What we do know is the attitude Christians should have towards the leaders and the people of the warring sides. As citizens of the Kingdom, we are to give honor to those that deserve honor. We are to pray for those in power. We are to love our enemies – those that promote evil instead of good. We are to rejoice when good is done and accomplished.
But, you say, “What about those who are doing evil?” Being in the world but not of the world we are to leave justice to the governments and authorities in power ( Romans 13). That is their role. We are to pray that God’s will is done on this earth as it is in heaven. Final justice is God’s providence, not ours.
But, you say, “I cannot abide some of the actions and attitudes of leader(s) who brought about peace.” First ad hominem (attacks on the person) attacks have no place in a Christian’s actions. Second, remember God has always used what we see as flawed individuals to bring about His will. So, who are we to question how and who He uses to bring about what a
Commentary: The Providence of God
The Providence of God
Oct. 13, 2025
Do you believe that God works his will on earth today? Do you believe that Christ is on His throne but has nothing to do with events today? Do you believe that God “works all things together for good?” Do you believe in Prayer? Do you believe there is spiritual warfare between the forces of evil ( principalities and powers ) and the forces of good? Do you believe you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God and an alien to the non-Christian world? Do you believe you are to be “in the world, but not of the world?” Your answers to these questions determine your reaction to what happens in the world—both good and evil.
I have always been impressed by the unwavering belief of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. in the Providence of God—regardless of their particular doctrinal beliefs. For example: 1) “We have Reason to rejoice in the prospect that the present National Government, which by the favor of Divine Providence, was formed by the common Counsels, and peaceably established with the common consent of the People …” -George Washington 2) “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs the World by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped”-Benjamin Franklin 3) “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, and with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”-Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.
Do we believe in the Providence of God? If you do how do you know except by faith? Assuming it is true, how is God’s Providence accomplished? We do not know as God’s ways are not our ways. There are hints in the Old and New Testaments of this. Does God use adulterers and murderers to accomplish His will? David was both and God used Him to bring—through his linage—Christ into the world. Paul apparently imprisoned and sought the death of many Christians but became the principal evangelist to the Gentile world. Moses, a murderer; Jacob, a deceiver; Rahab, a prostitute; Peter, a denier and coward and many others.
This week of Oct 12 we have seen the war in Israel and Hamas hostages returned and potential for a lasting peace. Do we know for certain God this was God’s will—no we do not. What we do know is the attitude Christians should have towards the leaders and the people of the warring sides. As citizens of the Kingdom, we are to give honor to those that deserve honor. We are to pray for those in power. We are to love our enemies – those that promote evil instead of good. We are to rejoice when good is done and accomplished.
But, you say, “What about those who are doing evil?” Being in the world but not of the world we are to leave justice to the governments and authorities in power ( Romans 13). That is their role. We are to pray that God’s will is done on this earth as it is in heaven. Final justice is God’s providence, not ours.
But, you say, “I cannot abide some of the actions and attitudes of leader(s) who brought about peace.” First ad hominem (attacks on the person) attacks have no place in a Christian’s actions. Second, remember God has always used what we see as flawed individuals to bring about His will. So, who are we to question how and who He uses to bring about what a
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