The Providence of God and 9/11: Personal and National Remembrance

yThe Providence of God and 9/11

Introduction

"Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" (Amos 3:6). Shocking and sobering words from scripture on this day. People will squabble over how God accomplishes his will, the means or agents involved, or even use terms such as "secondary causation."  In the end God is Sovereign and is working out his perfect will for the nations. How does this effect me personally? At what level do I still exercise human responsibility? Nearly seventeen years ago my life changed.  I think this can be safely said of nearly every person, family, and country on the globe. I went from being a young seminary student recently married a few months earlier and training for local church ministry to a short time later becoming an Army Chaplain preparing for deployment. I find it helpful on a day like this to remind myself as one of God's children: He has everything under His control. Please consider the following verses as an overview of God's providence.  This basic outline appears in Not By Chance by Layton Talbert on pages 18-21. I've poured through this book and even taught through it in a local church.  It is a valuable tool in encouraging believers to trust in the sovereign God of creation. I ask you as you read through these scriptural passages to be comforted.  God has everything under control.  This is how he has revealed himself on the pages of scripture.

So before you read what follows, consider the following applications (only a sampling of many):

• God was in control and had a purpose for that flat tire
• God was in control and has a purpose for governmental leaders at every level
• God was in control and has a purpose for every war our country has been involved
• God was is control and has a purpose for your job, church, friends, neighbors, etc...
• God was in control and has a purpose for the one who was church disciplined
• God was in control and has a purpose for the false teacher and wayward child

If this is too much then read the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 5, On Providence) or if your of a baptist persuasion like me then read the London Baptist Confession (Chapter 5, On Providence).  I think you'll find them nearly identical regardless of your denominational flavor. But I'd prefer you comfort your heart and mind with the direct verses of scripture.

God CAN Do Anything He Says.

• "Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." (Gen 18:14)
• "And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not." (Num 11:23)
• "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2)
• "The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all" (Psa 103:19)
• Other verses teaching this doctrinal and practical truth (Dan 4:17; Jer 32:17, 27; Lk 1:37; and Eph 1:11).

God WILL Do Everything He Pleases.

• "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases" (Psa 115:3)
• "Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." (Ps 135:6)

God CANNOT Be Thwarted in What He Purposes.

• "Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What does thou?" (Job 9:12)
• "If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? (Job 11:10)
• "Behold, be breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. (Job 12:14)
• "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." (Prov 21:30)
• "Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?" (Eccl 7:13)
• Other verses teaching this truth: (Job 42:2; Isa 14:27, 43:13; Lam 3:37)

God WILL NOT Be Thwarted in What He Pleases.

• Verses teaching this truth (Isa 46:9-10; Dan 4:35; Rev 3:7)

God Rules Providentially over "Good" AND "Bad."

• See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deut 32:39)
• The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. (1 Sam 2:6)
• The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. (1 Sam 2:7)
• What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10)
• Other verses teaching this helpful truth (Eccl 7:14; Isa 35:6-7; Lam 3:38; Amos 3:6)

A Righteous Response to the Sovereign Providence of God.

• But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)
• I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee....I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but not mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:2, 5-6).
• Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Tim 1:17)

Consider some other helpful titles on this issue

J.I. Packer. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Foreward by Mark Dever (IVP Books, 2012).

John Piper and Justin Taylor. Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. (Crossway, 2006).

D. A. Carson. How Long O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil. (2nd Ed) (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006).

Randy Alcorn. If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil. (Multnomah, 2009).

Read. Study. Take comfort in God's Word. Comments encouraged. 

Book Review and Recommendation: Not By Chance (Learning to Trust a Sovereign God) By Layton Talbert

Not By Chance (Learning to Trust a Sovereign God) By Layton Talbert (BJU Press: Greenville, SC), 2001.

I highly recommend this book.  I have read through the book several times as well as taught through this book in a local church to adults.  Many adults mentioned the content was a blessing and encouragement to them as well.

Expect to be thoroughly challenged with the scriptures.  Expect to have the text of scripture as the focus of attention not theological systems regardless of their popularity in evangelical circles.

Appendix E is always a challenge and good reminder to read.  It is entitled, "Salvation: Divine Determination or Human Responsibility?"  For those who have chosen to champion any one particular soteriological  (salvation) grid, don't expect to get a pat on the back.

Consider the Table of Contents below:

Ch. 1 Who is in Charge?
Ch. 2 What is Providence?
Ch. 3 The Preserving Providence of God over Man
Ch. 4 The Preserving Providence of God over Creation
Ch. 5 Governing Providence: A Case Study
Ch. 6 The Mystery of Providence
Ch. 7 The Means of Providence
Ch. 8 Silent Providence
Ch. 9 Problems of Providence
Ch. 10 Providence in the Incarnation of Christ
Ch. 11 Providence in the Passion of Christ
Ch. 12 Providence in the Church
Ch. 13 Providence and Prayer

May this book be a challenge and encouragement in your walk with Christ.  Blessings.

Thoughts on Christmas and Providence: Part Two

This brief article will present several aspects of providence displayed during the Christmas season (well at least they all were together about 2000 years ago).  By way of reminder concerning providence in relation to the events of Christmas, "God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least;" (Quoted from a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 5 "Providence" para. one).

Consider several events from the gospel of Luke in relation to the Christmas season (in order as they appear in the text):

1. Conception and Birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:5-7)

"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth"

In perfect timing as priest in the temple.  Under God's direction in perfect detail.  How do you explain this perfect timing?

2. Zacharias's Lot (Lk 1:9)

"According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord"

Just think anyone else could have been serving as priest, but it was Zacharias, the father of John (who would be the Messiah's fore runner).  Later Zacharias will respond to the birth of his son John with what is known in Latin as the Benedictus.

3. Conception of the Messiah (Lk 1:26-38)

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary"

An angel comes to an engaged couple, Joseph and Mary.  A young virgin conceives miraculously by the Holy Spirit.  Both parent would provide the perfect lineage needed for the Messiah to sit on "the throne of his father David (Lk 1:32).  In the following context we have Mary's response commonly identified in Latin as Mary's Magnificat.

4. The Census (Lk 2:1-6)

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed."

Consider the exact order from the secular unbelieving government which caused Joseph and Mary to leave for Bethlehem.  It could have been any other time for a census but under God's direct and man's operation, a decree went out at this exact time.

5. The Messiah's Birth (Lk 2:6-7)

" And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn"

In God's providence Mary gives birth to Jesus while in the town of Bethlehem.  Housing provided for under God's supervision.

6. The Shepherds (Lk 2:8-20)

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night"

Shepherds in the fields fulfilling their regular occupation and they are recipients of God's message to them.  They could have been anywhere but these shepherds had moved their sheep to the exact location where they would be found and receive a glorious message of the Messiah's birth.

7. Simeon and Anna (Lk 2:25-38)

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him."

"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity"

Both of these individuals served in a temple role at the exact time the Messiah would be brought according to Old Testament custom (2:27).  As a result of this we have Simeon's response known in Latin as the Nunc Dimittis.

The other gospels include further details not commented on here.  Well at least three other details.
All these people in perfect placement for God's gift to the world in the Messiah.  Hope this was a blessing on this Lord's Day morning following Christmas.