July 13, 2024!
We might be forgiven for not remembering the date – especially if you are Canadian. The heat of summer, the beginning in earnest of family vacations and the normal distractions and agendas woven into a Saturday weekend, had most folks going about their daily lives as normal.
Over in Pennsylvania, at an open-air campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds. the presumptive nominee of the Republican party in this year’s presidential election was in the cross-hairs of Thomas Matthews Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Beginning at 6.11.33 pm, the first of eight rounds echoed from Crook’s rooftop perch, ultimately wounding former President Trump in his upper right ear. Moments later Crooks was dispatched the U.S. Secret Service’s Counter Sniper Team. A second attempt on Trump’s life would come two months later, September 15.
Since the founding of United States, there have been 46 elected presidents: 40% have had attempts on their life, four have been assassinated, 1 sitting president was severely injured and almost died and a host of others have been the target of failed plots or attempts. The reasons? Lincoln was killed in 1865 by John W. Booth because he supported slavery. In 1881 Garfield was killed by Charles Guiteau because he was not given a patronage appointment in the government.
“A slight gust of wind, a tremor of the assassin’s hand, an unexpected move by the former president – for whatever tiny reason, Trump lived to fight another day.”
Niall Ferguson, The Free Press, July 14, 2024
Rally goers came to celebrate their ‘hope’ in a new leader – not be possible targets
The fire chief came to support his political candidate – not get killed
Trump came to ask for votes – not be assassinated
In the end, two rally goers received life-changing injuries, one was murdered and the presidential candidate escaped within an inch of his life. Some 12 weeks later, while revisiting the scene of the assassination attempt, Trump would remark: “... by the hand of providence and the grace of God, that villain did not succeed in his goal.”
Ah, “The hand of Providence.” Not a particularly common word, precisely what is ‘Providence’ and when used of God what does that mean? Can we see providence in the Bible? Are God’s providence and sovereignty the same thing? When Trump ‘dodged-a-bullet’ meant for him, was the providence of God at work behind the scenes? Indeed, was the election of Trump as the now 47th President of the United States, ‘proof’ of God’s providence? Was Christian Nationalist charismatic Paul-Cain White actually right this time when she pronounced “God spared Trump?”
The English word ‘Providence’ (from the Greek πρόνοια / ‘pronoia’ – “forethought” in Acts 24:2, Romans 13:14), is not found in Scripture. Of course, neither are Bible, Trinity, Reverend, mistake, problem, discipleship, mission, happiness, counselling or Evangelical, for that matter. My point is there can be no appeal to the Bible for a scriptural definition of the term providence, since none exists. The best we can do is reflect on how the term has been applied throughout church history – and arrive at some general conclusion. The lesson here, I think, is that the reality to which such words point us, is more important than any concern over the words we might use to describe that reality.
Providence is planned and purposeful divine government.
Sovereignty vs Providence
The Sovereignty of God is pretty much entrenched in Christian theology, a natural consequence of discussions about omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. What is subject to debate is the ‘How,” “When,” and “Where” of his control, whether it is applied directly or indirectly and in what way it might exert control over human will. In its simplest terms, sovereignty is a Christian concept that means God is in control of absolutely everything. He has both the right, the power, the jurisdiction ... and Scripture bears this out.
Psalm 103:19 “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.”
Psalm 135:6 “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”
Proverbs 16:9 “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
2 Chronicles 20:6 “And he said, “O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.”
For believers, our knowledge of his sovereignty can be both comforting ... and confusing: Comforting because there is no higher power than he; confusing because when we see evil thriving and answers to prayer slow in coming, we wonder how can this be.
The Providence of God is something different. In the counsel of his will, it deals with God’s plans and his wisdom in bringing those plans into fruition for the ultimate good of his own people. Though those purposes might be hidden from us, our comfort as believers is in knowing there is a reason behind every event ... ‘Yes,’ every event! Perhaps Romans 8:28 says it best: " … in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." So, God has not only foreseen the future, but made provision for taking care of what is foreseen. Wow!
Augustine and Providence
Augustine of Hippo (now Algeria, North Africa, 396-430 AD), one the Latin Fathers of the Church, was, like the Apostle Paul, perhaps the most significant Christian theologian of antiquity. Among his many written works, his ‘Confessions’ (c. 400) and ‘City of God’ (413-426) would significantly shape biblical exegesis, and lay the foundation for modern Western thought. It is in these writings that examples of providence appear most noticeable ... and as Augustine moved from spiritual mongrel and hedonist to saint (386 AD) he adjusts his worldview to see all creation as a narrative that progressively revealed the plan of God for creation ... including his life. Think of providence as God’s pre-arranging, if you wish.
“The only thing that escapes from God’s providence is nothing, which of course is not any thing. Since my good choices are not nothing, they are under God’s providence.”
Montague Brown, ‘Augustine On Freedom and God.’
‘Confessions’ is Augustine’s tell-all, no holds-barred account of his hidden secrets [e.g. thievery, lust, child out of wedlock, mistress] and lessons learned. Looking back over the events of his life, his conclusion was that God was superintending, whether he was aware of it or not at the time. He writes: “Though I knew it not, you were listening. And when in silence I sought so vehemently, the voiceless contritions of my soul were strong cries to your mercy. You knew what I was suffering and no one else knew it. (Book VII, 7), Later, convinced of the truth of the Christian faith and yielding to Christ, Augustine writes of God’s providence: “Late have I loved you .... You were with me, and I was not with you” (Book. X.27).
“You were there!” Augustine sees God as provident throughout the events of his life, in things like people, circumstances, even books. Consider:
God send Monica his mother to plant the name of Jesus into his consciousness. "She brought me forth in the flesh to this temporal light and in her heart to eternal light" (Book IX. 8)
God had instruments for his salvation and Christian growth already prepared in Italy. Besides his “old friend” Marcianus, who now is a friend “in a true way” said Augustine (Epistulae, CCLVIII, 3), there was Simplicianius, Possidius ... and Ambrose, bishop of Milan. Under Ambrose, Augustine opened his heart to the truth of what he preached and was baptized (April 24, 387). "All unknowingly I was brought by God to him [Ambrose] that knowingly I should be brought by him to God" (Book V. 13).
God wanted him in Italy, using circumstances (unruly students) and personal desires (financial attractions of Rome) to move him to leave Carthage, North Africa.
“At Carthage, on the contrary, there was among the scholars a shameful and intemperate license. They burst in rudely, and, with almost furious gesticulations, interrupt the system .... But You, my refuge and my portion in the land of the living, while at Carthage goaded me, so that I might thereby be withdrawn from it, and exchange my worldly habitation for the preservation of my soul; while at Rome You offered me enticements by which to attract me there.”(Book VIII.14)
Prompted by hearing a child’s voice say “Pick it up and read it,” a message Augustine felt came from God, he randomly opened one of Paul’s writings (codex apostoli, 8.12.29) and it fell on Romans 13:13-14. Reading the first words as predictive of the sin he seemed unable to escape, it said "Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof”. In August of 386, at the age of 31, Augustine converted.
Absolutely everything that needs to be done to fulfil
God’s wise purposes, will be done. He is that invested.
Be encouraged!
Again, listen to how Augustine saw providence at work in his life.
“I dwelt upon these things and you were near me. I sighed and you heard me. I was wavering uncertainly and you guided me. I was going the broad way of the world and you did not forsake me” (Book VI, 5).
“I had actually become more wretched and you more close to me. Your right hand was ready to pluck me from the mire and wash me clean, though I knew it not (Book VI. 16).
There is this mysterious presence, just beyond our horizon ... where God is hovering at every moment, wise, loving, patient, powerful – and Providential! Though at times He evades our senses, his attending presence is sure and the unsettledness we often experience is in truth a dynamic force attracting us to God — as the opening paragraph of Augustine’s great work famously reminds us: “For You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Book 1.1) This is so encouraging.
Providence and the Older Testament
The entire Older Testament, assuming Christians still read it these days, is a story of providence.
There was a reason to the mistreatment of Joseph by his brothers (Genesis 45:7; 50:20).
There was a reason Satan was permitted to touch Job’s life and the Babylonians were interested in Jobs wealth (Job 1:8, 12)
There was a reason Naomi lost her husband and two sons (Ruth 1:5) so a series of events (1:6, 14, 22; 2:5, 20; 3:12-13; 4:1-6) ends in the marriage of Boaz and Ruth – the forerunners of David, Israel’s king.
And there was a reason Cyrus was born before Persia was even a major player ... so Isaiah, living during the great Assyrian empire could watch a series of poor counsellors lead their nation to a devastating defeat at the hands of the King of Babylon who would rise to power ... deport the Jews three times (609, 598, 586 BC) ... and lead to the ascendency of Persia so its king could set the Jews living in exile – free ... just as Isaiah predicted (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-13) some 150 years before Cyrus’ time.
Does everything happen for a reason? Absolutely!
There are no random out-of-control outcomes or maverick molecules. God even arranges coincidences!
On the way up to Mt. Moriah, Isaac, Abraham’s son, asked “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replied “God will provide himself a lamb ...” (Genesis 22:7-8). Later, when Abraham saw a Ram caught in a thicket, he called the place “The Lord will provide” (22:14). Interestingly, the word “provide” in Hebrew means “to see”. So, God will see to himself the lamb” ( אֱלֹהִ֞ים יִרְאֶה־ לּ֥וֹ הַשֶּׂ֛ה ); this same thought holds for verse 14.
If you have an old KJV Bible, this idea “to see” is preserved by transliterating the Hebrew of “the Lord sees” (v. 14) as Jehovah Jireh: “Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” Today, contemporary Bible versions, NKJV included, have translated “see” as “provide”. So idiomatically, when we say “I’ll see to it” ... what we are saying is “I’ll provide for it.” This is Providence – not merely “seeing” passively, but actively “seeing to” something. Think of it as purposeful engagement.
The Book of Esther is a wonderful example of this engagement. Without rehearsing the entire dramatic narrative, notice some of the factors that at first glance, ‘just happened’ to fall into place:
Esther just happens to be beautiful and Jewish;
The exiling of Queen Vashti just happens to open the door for a new queen – Esther;
Esther just happens to win universal favor – from the king, the king’s chamberlain and “all them that looked upon her”;
Mordecai, carried into exile earlier by Babylonians, just happens to have remained in the vicinity ... and just happens to be Esther’s guardian ... some say uncle;
Mordecai just happens to overhear a plot against the king’s life;
Xerxes’ (Ahasuerus) just happens to be in a good mood on the day Esther appears;
A report of Mordecai’s help to the king just happens to be recorded in court documents;
Haman just happens to notice Mordecai’s refusal to kneel in his presence and just happens to discover he is a Jew;
When Haman was determining when to exact revenge, the dice just happens to fall for some 8 months later, giving added time for the Jews to prepare for their defense;
Esther just happens to get Xerxes approval to speak ... and then just happens to put matters off for another day;
This deferral just happens to allow Haman to pass Mordecai again ... which just happens to allow him to mention it to his friends ... which just happens to allow them to recommend a scaffold immediately;
It just happens that night the king has insomnia ... just happens to call for a spur-of-the-moment reading of scrolls ... just happens to read of Mordecai’s helpful role ... just happens to ask if Mordecai was ever rewarded ... and his attendants just happen to know the answer;
Haman just happens to be in the court when Xerxes is thinking about Mordecai’s reward;
Xerxes just happens to appear to find Haman acting possibly inappropriately towards his wife;
AND ... the gallows, intended for Mordecai, just happen to be ready for Haman, when Xerxes looks to hang him.
A biblical worldview maintains there is no such thing
as fortune, luck, fate or chance. It is not possible!
Remarkable coincidence? No! What we have here is a plain-to-see example of God’s providence (purposeful engagement), working through ‘coincidence; where tiny decisions converge to get the right person/s ... into the right circumstances ... at the right time/s to make ... the right choices ... so things happen as purposed. Still, God’s footsteps are far too deep for us to trace his path or his ways.
Providence and the New Testament
There was a reason for the man born blind (John 9:1-3) ... even when the disciples could not figure it out. Perhaps there is no clearer expression of a philosophy of history that is providential, then in the life of Jesus.
“The actual consequences of any event, whether great
or small, are its designed consequences.”
Charles Hodge, The Biblical Repertory & Princeton Review (vol. 37, issue 3 [1865]: 435–58).
Providence ensures that for the Messiah to be born from the line of David (Isaiah 11:1-10), the line of David must survive until the Messiah’s birth. But to survive, innumerable decisions by David’s line and beyond must coalesce (Ruth 4).
Providence spares Jesus the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:13-18)
Providence directs that Mary and Joseph return home, but to Nazareth, not Bethlehem (Matthew 2:19-23).
Providence delivers up Jesus to the cross, as Peter said, “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). Think of the different players (Judas, Jewish and Roman authorities), the specificity of the Jewish laws violated, the prophesies uttered, and the cause and effects needed to produce God’s desired result. Amazing actually!
From every day things to extraordinary things, God’s providence operates in and through what we do. Through cause and effect (physical and spiritual) and supernatural events, God is not a mere spectator. As the great Princeton theologian Charles Hodge reminds us, God governs free agents with certainty without destroying their liberty, and material causes without superseding their efficiency.
Life ... your life and mine, are not a random sequence of chance events. He does indeed extend his providential action to human activities, because he is both able to and interested to. In all of this ... God’s providential foreknowledge neither violates or impairs our free will.
While no one can presume to fully know the mind of God, our questions are legitimate. Did providence roll out the red carpet that July 13 afternoon? Was it by some ‘chance’ that the former president turned his head and his life was spared? Did the sniper with a clear line of sight. miss from 400 feet away because of God? Did the nation sidestep an unthinkable crisis because of divine intervention? And ... on that fateful July 13, 2024 afternoon, did we watch Proverbs 16:33 in action: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” “OnlySaying ...”
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