The continuing and often unseen activity of God in sustaining his universe, providing for the needs of every creature, and preparing for the completion of his eternal purposes.
God's general providence
God sustains the created order
Genesis 8:22 A promise given by God to all peoples. See also Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 40:26; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”
All life is dependent on God
1 Timothy 6:13 See also 1 Samuel 1:27; Job 1:21; Psalm 127:3; Ecclesiastes 3:2, Ecclesiastes 9:9; Ezekiel 24:16; Daniel 5:26; Matthew 4:4, Matthew 10:29
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
God controls the elements
Psalm 147:8 See also Job 37:1–13; Psalm 29:3–9, Psalm 135:6–7; Matthew 5:45; Acts 17:25–28
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills.
God provides for the created world
Psalm 145:15–16 See also Job 38:39–41; Psalm 104:27–28, Psalm 136:25, Psalm 147:9; Luke 12:6–7; Acts 14:17; 1 Timothy 6:17
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
God's providence through miraculous means
Job 5:9–10 God's regular activity in providing for human beings is regarded as being miraculous in just the same way as special demonstrations of his power. See also Exodus 16:11–14; Numbers 16:28–35; Judges 15:18–19; 1 Kings 17:5–6; 2 Kings 4:42–44
the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number. He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields.
God's providence in human history
God's control of human intentions
Habakkuk 1:12 See also 1 Kings 22:19–20; 2 Kings 19:27–28 parallel Isaiah 37:28–29; Isaiah 10:15; Habakkuk 1:6
Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, You have established them for correction.
God's providential actions on behalf of individuals
Romans 8:28 See also Job 1:12, Job 2:6; Psalm 107:12–14, Psalm 107:24–29, Psalm 107:33–38; Isaiah 38:17
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
God's saving purposes fulfilled through providence
Genesis 50:20 See also Genesis 22:13, Genesis 45:5–8; 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 parallel Ezra 1:1–3; Ezra 6:14; Isaiah 44:28–45:1; Acts 2:23, Acts 4:27–28; Galatians 4:4–5
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people.
God's providence prepares for the completion of his ultimate purpose
God is forming a people for himself
Revelation 21:3 See also Exodus 6:7; Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:14–16; 1 Peter 1:3–5; Revelation 7:9
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
God will bring all things under Jesus Christ's authority
Ephesians 1:9–10 See also Isaiah 45:22–23, Isaiah 66:23; 1 Corinthians 15:24–26; Philippians 2:10–11; Colossians 1:20; Revelation 11:15
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
God will complete his purpose for creation
Romans 8:20–21 See also Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
God directs all things for his glory
Romans 11:36 See also Psalm 46:10; Romans 9:23, Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:4–6, Ephesians 1:11–12
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.