The Providence of God
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Jesus addressed one of man’s persistent problems. Most of us are anxious from time to time. Sometimes it seems that our worry and anxiety control our lives. Matthew recorded this critical teaching of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount. “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘what shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33).
Jesus began His teaching on anxiety with these words, “Do not be anxious about your life” (Mt. 6:25a). This sounds quite unreasonable to us. Yet, it is based on a fundamental doctrine revealed in Scripture. This doctrine is the providence of God.
Chapter Five of the Westminster Confession of Faith defines this biblical teaching. Paragraph one states, “God upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures’ actions and things” In other words, God provides His creatures with everything they need to accomplish His purpose.
God’s command to not worry proceeds out of a trust in His providence. God has revealed Himself to be the One who always provides. This is the reality believers embrace, for it is the revealed truth of God!
Abraham, the father of all who believe in the God of the Bible, declared this truth (see Genesis 22:8, 14). The psalmist wrote, God “provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever” (Psalm 111:5). The Apostle Paul commanded the church in Philippi, “do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6).
What did Abraham, the psalmist and Paul know? It is clear as we read about their lives and what they wrote they were not ones who denied reality and simply thought happy thoughts. Abraham, for example, was in the process of obeying God by preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac when he confessed trust in God to provide. Abraham embraced reality and he trusted God. He knew as Paul did that God would never be unfaithful for to do so would be to deny Himself (see 2 Timothy 2:13)!
A popular song written by Bobby McFerin and the number one song in 1988 was “Don’t worry, be happy.” It presented a seemingly innocent and harmless suggestion. But on further examination, it must be noted that Bobby McFerin didn’t originate the phrase. It was promoted by an Indian mystic, Meher Baba. Meher Baba considered himself to be the Ancient One and god. He believed that he was the real self within everyone. His view of himself is confirmed by one of his recorded statements, “I have come not to teach but to awaken.”
Directly opposed to this philosophy of life is life in Christ. God has not only revealed Himself, but He has revealed reality, truth. We don’t need a self-proclaimed guru to show us the meaning of life. The source of worry is not our lack of “happy thoughts” or not embracing the god within us. The source of worry is unbelief in the one true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (see John 17:3). The God who provides is the one who created all that we see. He is the one who ordains all that comes to pass. He is transcendent, not part of creation. Yet the Bible says, in Jesus Christ “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:20) and in Him we can have intimacy with God.
Bobby McFerin’s song concerns happiness. As we all know, happiness is very elusive. In the midst of anxiety and worry it’s nearly impossible to find happiness. The impossible becomes possible with God. The Apostle Paul gave advice to Timothy concerning the source of true joy which exceeds happiness. “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
Notice the connection between the providence of God and enjoyment. God provides and believers enjoy what He gives. You don’t need to search out some new age philosopher which is really old age, eastern mysticism. Only knowing the truth of God will bring joy, the joy that lasts forever. The God who provides is the only One who gives joy. He gives joy by revealing the truth of Jesus to your heart. Knowing Jesus is the only thing that will dispel the worry and anxiety with which we burden ourselves.
