When God’s providential ways surprise us
ChatGPTWhy does God sometimes act with visible flourish, yet remain quiet most of the time? Why does he perform miracles for some people, but not others? Are there Scriptures and principles that can help us understand his mysterious ways?
In 1678, John Flavel's The Mystery of Providence was published. I just read it for the first time, 348 years later. This encouraging book has given me much to ponder.
Flavel, a Puritan from England, helps Christians relate to the Lord, even today. His book specifically shows us how to live and lead in light of God's surprising work in our lives.
Some of his works look like blessings to us. Others appear as setbacks or outright devastations.
But let's start on the positive side of the providential coin. Flavel writes:
"Good men have been going along the way to their own ruin, and did not know it; but Providence has met them in the way and preserved them by strange diversions, the meaning of which they did not understand till the event revealed it" (p. 37).
Take, for example, the moment God confronted and converted Paul: "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him" (Acts 9:3). You can't get more providential than that!
For the next several weeks in this devotion series, we'll be looking at The Mystery of Providence, learning more about this God who loves fiercely, yet acts mysteriously—and often suddenly.
Watching his ways,
Tom Harper
Founder, BiblicalLeadership.com
LinkedIn profile | Books
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
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