Discovering the All-Encompassing Reality of God’s Providence
A Purposeful Sovereignty
The concept of God’s providence is a profound and complex one, encompassing His purposeful sovereignty over all creation and history. According to John Piper, “God has revealed the goal and nature and extent of his providence. He has not been silent. He has shown us these things in the Bible.” This assertion sets the stage for a deeper exploration of God’s providence, which guides all things toward His ultimate goal and leads to the final consummation.
A Painting, Not a Machine
Piper reminds us that “God does not intend for us to see ourselves, or any part of the world, as cogs in the wheels of an impersonal mechanism.” Instead, the world is akin to a masterpiece – a painting, sculpture, or drama – held together by the word of God’s power (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). This perspective encourages us to view the world with wonder and awe, rather than mere mechanical curiosity.
Inviting Us into Enjoyment
God’s self-exaltation is distinct from human self-exaltation, as it invites us into the enjoyment of His glory, rather than distracting us from it. Piper notes, “God’s self-exaltation is different from human self-exaltation in that, by exalting himself, he is not distracting us from what is ultimately satisfying, but displaying it and inviting us into the enjoyment of it.”
Prayer as Part of the Plan
Piper also highlights the significance of prayer within God’s providence. “A nail sinks into a board because God planned for a hammer to hit it. A student makes an A on a test because God planned for the student to study… In none of these cases do we say that the cause was pointless… Neither is prayer pointless. It is part of the plan.”
Beautification of the Bride
God’s ultimate goal is the beautification of His bride, the church, through the death of Jesus Christ. Piper explains, “Christ died ‘that he might present the church to himself in splendor,’ he did not mean that Christ would be bored by his blood-beautified bride. No, he meant that Christ would be thrilled with his bride.”
Increasingly Great and Beautiful
As finite beings, we can never fully comprehend the riches of God’s glory in Christ. However, Piper assures us that “every day for all eternity – without pause or end – the riches of the glory of God’s grace in Christ will become increasingly great and beautiful in our perception of them.”
Sovereign over Suffering
Finally, Piper reminds us that God’s providence is never frustrated by Satan, even in the midst of suffering. “Divine providence is never frustrated by Satan in its plan for this world – for the everlasting good of God’s people in the all-satisfying praise of the glory of his grace.” This assurance gives us hope and confidence in the face of adversity.
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