Mysterious Providence
by Linnette R. Mullin
I remember distinctly the first time I ever really heard the term "providence." It was spoken of in the unforgettable movie Anne of Green Gables starring Megan Follows in which Aunt Marrilla told Anne that "to despair is to turn one’s back on God." That statement and many others which referred to God's providence really stuck with me and made me think.
Later in life, as I studied about God's providence in earnest, I began to understand that God has to be in complete control in order for Him to truly be God.. Yet, I couldn't quite grasp how God could be totally sovereign and tragedy still occur. I mean, how can sin and pain and suffering be in God's plan? While I still don't understand all that God allows or does, I now take great comfort in knowing that nothing surprises Him. He has a specific purpose behind everything He does and everything He allows. There is no greater comfort than knowing He is in complete control of all things.
This knowledge also strengthens my faith in Him. Though I still don't understand nor enjoy pain, I find comfort in knowing that it is not without a purpose - a God ordained purpose. God never wastes pain! While our dreams may be killed, God's vision is born in us through the tragedies we face. He always fulfills His purpose even in the midst of a pain-filled, sin-filled, Jesus-hating world.
"Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty; but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, and everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
"Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon My salvation will come, and My deliverance be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."
Isaiah 55:6-56:1 ESV
What a wonderful passage displaying the might power of God and the blessings He promises to His children! When things get tough, I always remind myself that God is in complete control. Just as a child cannot see the over-all picture the parent sees and doesn't always understand when they are told "no," so it is with us and God - only in a more perfect way. He sees the big picture. He knows what is best and He makes all things beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3).
