What is Providence?

Providence comes from the Latin word "video" meaning to see and the Greek word "pro," which means before. So the word literally means to see before. The word is a theological term, which describes the LORD's ability to see ahead and accomplish his purposes in providing for the needs of His people. It describes not only the LORD's foreknowledge, but also His sovereign ordering of all events to accomplish His care and provision. Though as Christians we believe that God is working around us and in our lives, exactly what He is doing is not always obvious, and His hand is not always visible. At times it is difficult to see how the LORD is working all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), but there are other times for Biblical Christians, that His work in us and around us is unmistakable--when things fall right in place at the right time in such a way that there can be no mistaking His hand. Unbelievers often attribute such providences to coincidence. They excuse the uncanny as happenstance. But those who have faith in Jesus give God the glory when he reminds us that He knows exactly what He is doing and is in full control of our today and our tomorrow and our destiny. I call such moments or such glimpses of the LORD in our day to day lives divine appointments and answered prayers. I have been blessed to witness divine appointments and answered prayers in my own life and in the lives of others and even in the study of history. So I have decided to share some of these stories as an encouragement to others and most importantly that the LORD might receive the glory for His power and faithfulness. Some of the stories will seem remarkable, while others might seem insignificant or explainable, but I will give God the glory because "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (Js. 1:17).