Matthew 6:26-33 ESV Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, (29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:26-33 ESV (30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (31) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE MATTHEW 6:26-33 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Concept Of Divine Providence Provide Provide – From the Latin word providere. – It means to foresee. – Equivalent Greek word is pronoia. – It means forethought. – Ac. 24:2; Rom. 13:14 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Concept Of Divine Providence “No single word in biblical Hebrew or Greek expresses the idea of God’s providence.” – New Bible Dictionary “No single word in biblical Hebrew or Greek expresses the idea of God’s providence.” – New Bible Dictionary Divine providence “literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God’s preserving and governing all things by means of second causes.” – Easton’s Bible Dictionary Divine providence “literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God’s preserving and governing all things by means of second causes.” – Easton’s Bible Dictionary ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Concept Of Divine Providence “God’s benevolent and wise superintendence of His creation.” – Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “God’s benevolent and wise superintendence of His creation.” – Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “Infinite Wisdom, using infinite power to accomplish the ends of infinite holiness and love” - ISBE “Infinite Wisdom, using infinite power to accomplish the ends of infinite holiness and love” - ISBE ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Concept Of Divine Providence Contrast with direct miraculous events Contrast with direct miraculous events ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG Mary’s Conception – Mt. 1:18-25 Hannah’s Conception – 1 Sam. 1:6, versus

The Concept Of Divine Providence Contrast with direct miraculous events Contrast with direct miraculous events ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG Delivery from Assyrian Army– Isa. 37:36 Delivery from Assyrian King– Isa. 37:7, 38 versus

The Concept Of Divine Providence Forces of nature Forces of nature – Ac. 14:17; Psa. 104:14; 135:5-7 Animal kingdom Animal kingdom – Psa. 104:21-29; Mt. 6:26 Affairs of mankind Affairs of mankind – Dan. 2:21; Mt. 5:35 Minutia of the universe Minutia of the universe – Mt. 10:29-30 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG General Providence Special Providence Mt. 6:33; Rom. 8:28

The Existence Of Divine Providence God’s providential care in the past: God’s providential care in the past: – Joseph – Gen. 50:20 – Esther – Esth. 4:14 – Paul – Ac. 23:11; 28:16 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG But is God still active today?

The Existence Of Divine Providence True or False… ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG God is no longer active today. God is the reason we continue to exist! Ac. 17:24-28; Col. 1:17 FALSE

The Existence Of Divine Providence True or False… ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG God is directly behind everything that happens. God doesn’t directly cause everything to happen! FALSE Temptation/Sin Jas. 1:13; 1 Pet. 5:8 Freewill Jos. 24:15 Time/Chance Ecc. 9:11

The Existence Of Divine Providence True or False… ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG God is directly behind some things, not everything. How can we know for certain when He is? Mordecai Est. 4:14 Paul Phm. 15

The Response To Divine Providence God is at work because His word says so! – In temptation – 1 Cor. 10:13 – In prayer – 1 Jn. 5:14-15 – In trial – Php. 4:6-7 – In eternal destiny – Rom. 8:28 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

The Response To Divine Providence How should we respond? – Seize opportunities – Ecc. 9:10 – Life has ups and downs – Ecc. 3:1-8 – Enjoy the blessings– Ecc. 3:12-14 – Be thankful in all– 1 Ths. 5:18 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

DIVINE PROVIDENCE MATTHEW 6:26-33 ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. (Psa. 112:4-7 ESV) ROBISON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST- EDNACHURCHOFCHRIST.ORG