The Providence of God is Righteous
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The concept of the providence of God refers to His divine guidance and care over the universe and the affairs of humanity. It is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing God's sovereignty, wisdom, and benevolence. The righteousness of God's providence underscores that His actions and plans are inherently just, moral, and aligned with His holy nature.

Biblical Foundation

The righteousness of God's providence is affirmed throughout Scripture. In Psalm 145:17, the psalmist declares, "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds" . This verse encapsulates the belief that God's providential acts are not only sovereign but also inherently righteous and good.

In the book of Genesis, the account of Joseph illustrates the righteous providence of God. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph later recognizes God's hand in his circumstances, saying, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people" (Genesis 50:20). This narrative highlights how God's providence can transform human intentions and actions into outcomes that fulfill His righteous purposes.

God's Sovereignty and Justice

The righteousness of God's providence is closely linked to His sovereignty and justice. In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses proclaims, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He" . This passage emphasizes that God's providential acts are executed with perfect justice and faithfulness, reflecting His unchanging nature.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to God's righteous providence, declaring, "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them" (Isaiah 61:8). Here, God's providence is portrayed as an expression of His love for justice and His commitment to righteousness.

Human Response to Divine Providence

Believers are called to trust in the righteous providence of God, even when His ways are beyond human understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "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 trust is rooted in the assurance that God's providential care is both righteous and purposeful.

The New Testament reinforces this trust in God's righteous providence. In Romans 8:28, the Apostle Paul writes, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" . This verse reassures believers that God's providential actions are directed toward their ultimate good, in accordance with His righteous will.

The Righteousness of God's Plans

God's providence is not only righteous in its execution but also in its ultimate goals. Ephesians 1:11 states, "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will" . This passage highlights that God's providential plans are crafted with wisdom and righteousness, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled in accordance with His perfect will.

The righteousness of God's providence is further affirmed in the eschatological vision of Revelation, where God's ultimate justice and righteousness are fully realized. Revelation 15:3-4 proclaims, "Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed" . This vision assures believers that God's providential rule will culminate in the full manifestation of His righteousness and justice.

In summary, the providence of God is inherently righteous, reflecting His holy nature and perfect justice. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to trust in God's providential care, confident that His plans and actions are directed toward their ultimate good and His glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 4:37
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Providence of God and his Government of all Things...
... The Providence of God and His Government of ... world without His appointment; nevertheless,
God neither is ... humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xiii the providence of.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... Determination is an act of Divine Providence, by which God places a limit ... (i.) God
determines the ... wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God
... The determination of sin is an act of divine providence by which God ... (i.) God places
a ... the act, when he takes the rod of iniquity from the righteous, lest they ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 10 on the righteousness.htm

God's Providence
... It is said, and we grant, that the righteous are trodden under foot, and ... a third
(civ) the dependence of all orders in creation on God's Providence for food ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

God Our Guide.
... His providences are always in favor of the righteous. ... They may have planned, but
God's providence overthrew and brought better things to pass. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/god our guide.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... 7. In the second class of God's works, namely those ... he so arranges the course of
his providence, as daily to ... the partakers of his bounty, the righteous are the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

Sermon xxvii.
... which the great day will make between the righteous and the ... holiness and sin; between
cheerful submission to the will and providence of God, and unyielding ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/sermon xxvii.htm

The Reward of the Righteous
... him." This alone teaches him to say, "Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous;"
"there is ... Such a blessing has the gracious providence of God given to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 99 the reward of.htm

Basilides' Idea of Martyrdom Refuted.
... For I will affirm anything rather than call Providence evil." Then, in continuation ...
say, That the man you name is man, but that God is righteous: "For no one ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii basilides idea of martyrdom.htm

Of Diocletian, who Ignobly Abdicated the Imperial Throne, and was ...
... without the slightest provocation, the destruction of so great a multitude of righteous
persons ... 3490] At length, indeed, the providence of God took vengeance ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxv of diocletian who ignobly.htm

Resources
What is divine providence? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that everything happens for a reason? | GotQuestions.org

What is the all-seeing eye? | GotQuestions.org

Providence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Providence

The Providence of God is all Pervading

The Providence of God is Ever Watchful

The Providence of God is Exercised in Bringing his Words to Pass

The Providence of God is Exercised in Defeating Wicked Designs

The Providence of God is Exercised in Delivering Saints

The Providence of God is Exercised in Determining the Period of Human Life

The Providence of God is Exercised in Directing all Events

The Providence of God is Exercised in Leading Saints

The Providence of God is Exercised in Ordaining the Conditions and Circumstances of Men

The Providence of God is Exercised in Ordering the Minutest Matters

The Providence of God is Exercised in Ordering the Ways of Men

The Providence of God is Exercised in Overruling Wicked Designs for Good

The Providence of God is Exercised in Preserving his Creatures

The Providence of God is Exercised in Preserving the Course of Nature

The Providence of God is Exercised in Prospering Saints

The Providence of God is Exercised in Protecting Saints

The Providence of God is Exercised in Providing for his Creatures

The Providence of God is Exercised in Ruling the Elements

The Providence of God is Exercised in The Special Preservation of Saints

The Providence of God is his Care Over his Works

The Providence of God is Righteous

The Providence of God: All Things are Ordered By for Good to Saints

The Providence of God: All Things are Ordered By for his Glory

The Providence of God: Cannot be Defeated

The Providence of God: Connected With the Use of Means

The Providence of God: Danger of Denying

The Providence of God: Man's Efforts are Vain Without

The Providence of God: Result of Depending Upon

The Providence of God: Saints should Commit Their Works To

The Providence of God: Saints should Encourage Themselves

The Providence of God: Saints should Have Full Confidence In

The Providence of God: Saints should Pray in Dependence Upon

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

The Providence of God: Saints should Trust In

The Providence of God: Sometimes Dark and Mysterious

The Providence of God: The Wicked Made to Promote the Designs

The Providence of God: To be Acknowledged in Adversity

The Providence of God: To be Acknowledged in all Things

The Providence of God: To be Acknowledged in Our Daily Support

The Providence of God: To be Acknowledged in Prosperity

The Providence of God: To be Acknowledged in Public Calamities

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The Providence of God is his Care Over his Works
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