Horatio Spafford was a prominent, successful business man in Chicago, IL in the middle 1800's. He had enjoyed great success. He was wealthy, well-known and influential. Overnight he lost almost everything. The great Chicago fire left him in near financial ruin.
He decided to relocate his family. At two o'clock in the morning, November 22, 1873, he loaded his wife and four daughters onto a French luxury liner, (the largest and most luxurious in the world), and kissed them good-bye, promising to meet them in France in a few weeks, as soon as he could settle his business affairs.
Several days out of port, that luxurious ship, sailing peacefully toward France, was rammed by an English ship. It took the largest, best, most luxurious ship in the world just two hours to sink to the ocean floor!
Two hundred and twenty-six people died on that ship, including all four of the Spafford daughters. Nine days latter, when the survivors landed safely at Cardiff, Wales, Spafford received a short wire from his wife. It contained just two words – "Saved alone."
As soon as possible, he booked passage on a ship to Europe to join his wife. On the way over, the Captain called Spafford to the bridge of the ship. He said, "According to my calculations, we are now passing over the place where your children drowned." Spafford thanked the Captain, went back to his cabin, and wrote these lines…
This man who had lost his business, his home, and his children, said to a friend, "I am glad I can trust the Lord when it costs me something." When he and his wife finally met and embraced one another, she said, "We have not lost our children. We are only separated for a little while."
How could that man and his wife bear such trials, such losses, such heartaches, with such composure? Only one answer can be given. Horatio Spafford and his wife believed God. They were convinced in their hearts of that which is recorded in our text.
(Romans 8:28) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Proposition: The knowledge and understanding God's providence is the comfort and strength of believing hearts in the midst of their trials and temptations in this world.
Divisions: In this message I want us to see three things about God's adorable providence.
I have referred to this text numerous times in the past few weeks; but I want you to read it with me one more time. Here the Holy Spirit declares to us the mystery of God's providence.
(Romans 11:33-36) "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! {34} For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? {35} Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? {36} For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
His judgments are a great deep. His ways are past finding out. But I know this…
D. God's providence is his sovereign rule of the universe for the salvation of chosen sinners to the praise of the glory of his grace.
If God has chosen you, if Christ has redeemed you, God will save you. He will do whatever is necessary to bring you to repentance and faith in Christ (Ps. 107).
II. GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS MINUTE (Matt. 10:30). (Matthew 10:30) "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."Divine providence is all inclusive! God rules everything, great and small, everywhere, and always! There is absolutely nothing in the universe that is not always under the total rule of our God (Ps. 115; 135; Eph 1:11).
(Psalms 115) "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. {2} Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? {3} But OUR GOD IS IN THE HEAVENS: HE HATH DONE WHATSOEVER HE HATH PLEASED. {4} Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. {5} They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: {6} They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: {7} They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. {8} They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. {9} O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. {10} O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. {11} Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. {12} The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. {13} He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. {14} The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. {15} Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. {16} The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. {17} The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. {18} But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD."
(Psalms 135) "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. {2} Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, {3} Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. {4} For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. {5} For I KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GREAT, AND THAT OUR LORD IS ABOVE ALL GODS. {6} WHATSOEVER THE LORD PLEASED, THAT DID HE IN HEAVEN, AND IN EARTH, IN THE SEAS, AND ALL DEEP PLACES. {7} He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. {8} Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. {9} Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. {10}Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; {11} Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan: {12} And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people. {13} Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. {14} For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. {15} The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. {16} They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; {17} They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. {18} They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. {19} Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: {20} Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. {21} Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD."
(Ephesians 1:11) "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."
A. God is in control of all inanimate matter."The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; his kingdom ruleth over all!"
C. Our God and heavenly Father controls, (absolutely and totally) all rational creatures too.
He controls all men and women everywhere, good and bad, in the good they do and in the evil they perform. All angels, all demons and Satan himself are under the total control of our God.
(Psalms 76:10) "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."
(Isaiah 14:24-27) "The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: … {26} This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. {27} For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"
We have no trouble believing that God controls good things and good people; but those are not the things that bother me. It's the bad stuff that disturbs me. I want to know who is in control of wickedness and evil. That is the One I will worship.
Many have a lot of trouble with this. They do not understand that God truly is God, as fully in control of hell as he is in heaven, as totally in control of wickedness as of righteousness.
What about sin? What about the fall? "God allows sin because he is able to overrule it for his own glory. God is not the Author of sin; but he is the Controller and Director of sin. God is not the Causative Force, but the Directing Agent in the sins of men. Men are rebellious; but they have not pushed God off his throne. They are not out from under his control."
C. D. Cole
(Proverbs 16:4) "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."
(Proverbs 16:33) "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."
(Proverbs 21:1) "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
(Acts 2:23) "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"
(Acts 4:27-28) "For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, {28} For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."
III. God's providence is mysterious and minute. But be sure you get this third thing. God's providence is good! "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
A. No event in history is isolated from any other event. – "All things work together!"
B. What does Paul mean when he says that "all things work together for good"?
C. Actually, that which is truly good for me is very often the exact opposite of that which is presently good.
1. God's providence is always executed in the wisest manner possible.
We are often unable to see and understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives, in the lives of others, or in the history of the world. But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing God. We bow to his will, which is evident in his works of providence, and say…
(Romans 11:33) "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
2. All God's works of providence are executed perfect holiness and righteousness.
Even in the way he uses the evil works of men and devils is totally free of sin on his part. Though he has predestined and permits deeds of wickedness, sin cannot be imputed to the Almighty. Let men think and say what they will, these two things are plainly revealed in Holy Scripture…
3. All God's providential works are executed with the irresistible power of his omnipotence.
Everything that comes to pass in time is brought to pass by God's sovereign providence, according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. He works all things after the counsel of his own will. His counsel always stands. He always does all his pleasure in all things everywhere.
4. God's providence demands and deserves our unceasing praise.
"We should give to him the glory of all; observe with wonder and gratitude, the various steps of it (his providence) respecting ourselves and others; and put our trust in him for things temporal and spiritual; and at all times cast our care upon him, who cares for us; seeing it is, and always will be, well with the righteous, in time and to all eternity."
John Gill
Application:It is good for me to know Christ and be found in him. If God has to cripple me, or cripple my child to get my attention and then turn my eyes and my heart to Christ, that is good! It is good for me…
Whatever God sees fit to use to accomplish these things for us and in us is good! At your leisure, read Psalm 107 again. There we are given a detailed view of God's providence. "All things work together for good."
Too much joy would intoxicate me. Too much misery would drive me into despair. Too much sorrow would crush me. Too much suffering would break my spirit. Too much pleasure would ruin me. Too much defeat would discourage me. Too much success would puff me up. Too much failure would keep me from doing anything. Too much criticism would harden me. Too much praise would exalt me. – My God knows exactly what I need. His providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for my good! Let him therefore send and do what he will. By his grace, I will…
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