There is fatalism and then there is providence. Fatalism says what will happen, will happen (“Que sera, sera”). Providence says everything that happens is for a reason. Divine Providence is that everything happens because God wills it for two reasons: 1) His glory, 2) Christian’s ultimate good {Conformity to Christ}.
Fatalism is exactly that… FATAL. It kills hope, joy, purpose, and meaning. God’s providence is life! It brings hope, joy, purpose, and meaning. I’m one of those people who believes strongly in Divine Providence for many reasons, but just consider a few (Then we’ll apply them). Believe God!
Eph 1:11 In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works ALL things according to the counsel of His will…
Ro 8:28 God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son…
Is 46:9 “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish ALL My good pleasure’ 11 Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.
Dan 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth (That’s you & me!); and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?”
Ro 9:15 (God) says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 18 So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?
Ps 84:11 The Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Those who are in Christ).
Ro 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?
What does this mean for us as we live each day? Answer, God is in control of all things… everything… without exception. That means everyone, everywhere, always (Unless you reject His Word as truth). It means everything that happens (Regardless of how we see it at the time) is always good… glorifies God… and is for the ultimate benefit of His children. Nothing is excluded from that truth!
So Christian, take whatever circumstance you are in… no matter what it is… no matter how you feel about it… and praise God in light of His Word! Praise God that no one can do anything more or less to you than God wills which is ALWAYS for your ultimate good (Ps 84:11; Ro 8:31-32)! Banish all sorrow and fear… be done with worry and anxiety! Your God is SOVEREIGN and PROVIDENTIAL. And He loves you!
For Part 2 CLICK HERE.