Topical Bible: The Providence of God: Saints should Pray to be Guided By

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The concept of divine providence is central to the understanding of God's interaction with the world and His people. Providence refers to God's sovereign guidance and care over all creation, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled. For believers, recognizing and seeking God's providence is essential in navigating the complexities of life. The Scriptures encourage saints to pray for divine guidance, trusting in God's wisdom and perfect will.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible is replete with examples and teachings that underscore the importance of seeking God's guidance through prayer. In the Old Testament, King David frequently sought the Lord's direction. In Psalm 25:4-5 , David prays, "Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You." This prayer reflects a heart dependent on God's providential guidance.

Similarly, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity of prayer in seeking God's will. In Philippians 4:6-7 , Paul writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Here, prayer is presented as a means to align oneself with God's providential care, resulting in peace and assurance.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers according to God's providence. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit as a guide and helper. In John 16:13 , Jesus states, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Spirit's guidance is an integral part of experiencing God's providence, leading believers into truth and understanding.

Practical Application

Saints are encouraged to actively seek God's guidance through prayer, trusting in His providential care. James 1:5 offers a practical exhortation: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This promise assures believers that God is willing to provide wisdom and direction to those who earnestly seek Him.

Moreover, the practice of prayer should be accompanied by a heart of submission and trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of relying on God's understanding rather than one's own, acknowledging His sovereignty in all aspects of life.

Examples from Scripture

Throughout Scripture, there are numerous examples of individuals who sought God's providential guidance through prayer. Nehemiah, before undertaking the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, prayed for God's favor and direction (Nehemiah 1:4-11). His reliance on divine guidance was instrumental in the successful completion of his mission.

The early church also exemplified this dependence on God's providence. In Acts 13:2-3 , the church in Antioch prayed and fasted before setting apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off." This account demonstrates the church's commitment to seeking God's direction in their ministry endeavors.

Conclusion

The providence of God is a profound assurance for believers, offering guidance and care in every aspect of life. Through prayer, saints are invited to seek and align themselves with God's will, trusting in His perfect wisdom and timing. The Scriptures provide a rich tapestry of examples and teachings that encourage believers to rely on God's providential guidance, ensuring that their paths are directed according to His divine purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 24:12-14
And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray you, send me good speed this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 28:20,21
And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 1:24
And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, which know the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have chosen,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Walking with God
... But he means, that our souls should be kept in a ... children must not only watch the
motions of God's providence without them ... And such honor have all God's saints. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

The Third Season
... What though God do not in his outward dispensations ... treasures, and the teeth of the
saints with gravel ... love has distinguished, though common providence has not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... loveth judgement, and forsaketh not His saints; they are ... If ever the superintending
providence of God was witnessed ... field, then the hand of God directs Judas ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish.
... But in sixteen days, by the special guidance of Providence, he regained his ... I might
have seen again the countenances of the saints of my Lord; God knows I ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/patrick the apostle of the.htm

The Infallibility of God's Purpose
... Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints! ... "Providence be," said
he, and Providence shall be ... But how shall God listen to the entreaties of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the infallibility of gods purpose.htm

Marks of a True Conversion
... affections, to be guided by the word, providence, and the ... opinion of Dr. Goodwin,
"fits nearest the God-man, the ... am less than the least of all saints, is this ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of a true conversion.htm

Brief Memoir of Thomas Watson
... had oppressed the church was again stretched forth to vex certain of the saints. ...
I desire to be guided by the silver thread of God's word and providence. ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/brief memoir of thomas watson.htm

A Wise Desire
... to sink; but he who lies still will float"so with Providence. ... and foreigners, but
fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God." To such of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a wise desire.htm

Of the Second Sort of Unions: to Wit, Passive. ...
... a splendour seen in the eyes and countenances of God's Saints, betokening an ... ecstasy
are no doubt ordered by an especial and supernatural providence of God. ...
/.../chapter iii of the second.htm

The Chaff Driven Away
... just hold on their way, looking to Providence constantly, for ... of your present intimate
connection with God's people, and ... go from the songs of the saints to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the chaff driven away.htm