Photo: Adobe Stock
Most Christians accept God’s decree of providence. We often hear remarks such as, “If it’s God’s will,” or “the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.” Such expressions rightfully attribute providence to the Lord.
Some are unfamiliar with the word providence and don’t fully grasp its meaning. In simple terms, providence refers to God’s care and involvement with His creation to fulfill His intended purpose.
President Donald J. Trump has used the term (providence) frequently after coming centimeters away from being killed by an assassin’s bullet.
This begs the question: Does God pre-ordain and foresee incidents on Earth? Anything else wouldn’t be a personal, omnipresent Savior.
Can evil acts also be part of the ultimate divine plan? William S. Plumer wrote, “Providence so arranges affairs in this world, that even the wicked who hate him, shall certainly glorify him, by their misdeeds.”[1]
The Bible supports this teaching. We must not look any further than Judas Iscariot betraying the Lord. The betrayal supports the very concept of providence, as Jesus predicted the betrayal and acknowledged that His death and resurrection were required for humanity to receive salvation (Mark 8:31-33). Plumer commented, “The treason of Judas was by the Lord overruled to bring about the most important event leading to man’s salvation.”[2]
Judas Iscariot’s disloyalty, while incredibly devastating, was a necessary part of the salvation story. Jesus made this evident when Peter told the Lord he would always protect him. “But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. Matthew 16:23”
The Apostle Paul serves as another example of fulfilling providence. Paul persecuted Christians and was on his way to Damascus when the Lord called him, radically altering his life. The persecutor eventually became the persecuted. Paul, of course, was fortunate to receive salvation instead of being judged to eternal hell. Later, in Rome, he wrote:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-29)
In the Old Testament, ancient Israel knew well that their sin was always a punishable offense. Penalizing sin often came from the hands of outside empires, fulfilling God’s will. The pagan nations didn’t earn merit nor receive salvation. However, they glorified God because they brought forth judgment decreed by the Lord. Plumer concluded on the use of unbelievers in God’s plans, “Let the wicked never forget that their unbelief, impenitence, profanes, and persecution of the godly, all their sins of heart, of life, and of the tongue, shall in spite of themselves bring honor to God, though it be at the fearful loss of their own souls.”[3]
The judgment of evildoers alone brings glory to the Lord, as He is a righteous God who will not let sin go unpunished. Though perhaps difficult to comprehend in our finite minds, destruction commonly leads to the glorification of the Lord.
In the aftermath of recent events, particularly the assassination attempt of President Donald J. Trump, it’s even more important to realize that God is an active Creator, fulfilling His will on earth. President Trump himself has alluded to the spiritual connection he’s recently felt and has pointed out he has a new outlook on life.
What was intended to be an evil act and murder plot to kill President Trump has turned out to be a foundational block for peace, hope, and love and perhaps even an opportunity to unify the nation in the name of righteousness.
[1] William S. Plumer, Jehovah: A Treatise on Providence, (1865; reprint, Harrisonburg: Sprinkle Publications, 1997), 90.
