Divine Providence

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not yet been done” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

When America’s Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, they included principles in the document that characterized America’s founding philosophy. One of these principles was the idea of God as “Divine Providence.” The Founders concluded the Declaration by stating, “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” 

Their description shows that they acknowledged and upheld the Judeo-Christian, Bible-based view of God as one who is actively involved in the lives of human beings. Such were the views of many early Americans, which greatly impacted their thoughts and actions at that time.

One of the chief characteristics of Divine Providence is the ability to foresee or to foreknow. This reflects Isaiah’s words when he stated that God is able to declare the end from the beginning, or declare from ancient times things that have not yet happened. This was proven true again and again through the proclamations of the Hebrew Prophets.

Psalm 139 is an incredible proclamation concerning God’s omnipresence, or the fact that He is equally present at all times and in all places throughout His entire created order. Along with the statements confirming His omnipresence, we also find statements concerning His Providence, His ability to foresee and to foreknow. “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them” (Psalm 139:16).

Before we were ever conceived in the wombs of our mothers, God had already determined the length our sojourn on planet earth. We may know our birthday but only God knows the date and time of our departure from this earth.

This verse was part of the explanation of why George Washington was so brave and engaged on the battlefield. There were times when his horses were shot out from underneath him. Following some battles he discovered bullet holes in his coat and hat. He firmly believed Psalm 139:16, knowing that if today was his day to die there was nothing that he could do about it, if it was not his day to die there is nothing his enemies could  do about it. His life was in the hands of Divine Providence.

When speaking to the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens, the Apostle Paul also spoke of the Providential actions of God, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26).

Not only was the time of your birth in God’s hands, so also was the place of your birth. He determined whether you were born male or female. He determined your race and the color of your skin. He determined the boundaries of your people group and your appointed time on this planet.

The Apostle went on to say, “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man (Jesus Christ) whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

It is with reliance on Divine Providence that I step out of bed every morning. Before I stand to my feet, I submit my life into the care of the One who already sees the day that lays out before me, so I also plead for His mercy to assist me in navigating the twists and turns of the day. And because I know that I will not leave this earth a moment earlier or later than the length of days ordained for me, I can live with hope, and confidence, and courage filling my heart. He is my Lord, He is my Rock and my Refuge.