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The continuous activity of God in His creation by which He preserves and governs. The doctrine of providence affirms God's absolute lordship over His creation and confirms the dependence of all creation on the Creator. It is the denial of the idea that the universe is governed by chance or fate.
Through His providence God controls the universe (Psalms 103:19); the physical world (Matthew 5:45); the affairs of nations (Psalms 66:7); man's birth and destiny (Galatians 1:15); man's successes and failures (Luke 1:52); and the protection of His people (Psalms 4:8).
Psalms 103:19
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. NIV
Matthew 5:45
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. NIV
Psalms 66:7
7 He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations — let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah NIV
Galatians 1:15
15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased NIV
Luke 1:52
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. NIV
Psalms 5:1
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. NIV
God preserves all things through His providence (1 Samuel 2:9; Acts 17:28). Without His continual care and activity the world would not exist. God also preserves His people through His providence (Genesis 28:15; Luke 21:18; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 3:12).
1 Samuel 2:9
9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails; NIV
Acts 17:28
28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' NIV
Genesis 28:15
15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." NIV
Luke 21:18
18 But not a hair of your head will perish. NIV
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. NIV
1 Peter 3:12
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." NIV
Divine government is the continued activity of God by which He directs all things to the ends He has chosen in His eternal plan. God is King of the universe who has given Christ all power and authority to reign (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36; Ephesians 1:20-23). He governs insignificant things (Matthew 10:29-31), apparent accidents (Proverbs 16:33), as well as man's good (Philippians 2:13) and evil deeds (Acts 14:16).
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV
Acts 2:36
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." NIV
Ephesians 1:20-23
20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. NIV
Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. NIV
Proverbs 16:33
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. NIV
Philippians 2:13
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. NIV
Acts 14:16
16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. NIV
God acts in accordance with the laws and principles that He has established in the world. The laws of nature are nothing more than man's description of how we perceive God at work in the world. They neither have inherent power nor do they work by themselves.
Man is not free to choose and act independently from God's will and plan; he chooses and acts in accordance with them. In His sovereignty, God controls man's choices and actions (Genesis 45:5; Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 21:1). God's actions, however, do not violate the reality of human choice or negate man's responsibility as a moral being.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Genesis 45:5
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. NIV
Deuteronomy 8:18
18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. NIV
Proverbs 21:1
21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. NIV
God permits sinful acts to occur, but He does not cause man to sin (Genesis 45:5; Romans 9:22). He often overrules evil for good (Genesis 50:20; Acts 3:13).
Genesis 45:5
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. NIV
Romans 9:22
22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath — prepared for destruction? NIV
Genesis 50:20
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. NIV
Acts 3:13
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. NIV
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