God’s Providence

“Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God],”

Philippians 2:14 AMP

I have read this scripture in so many versions, but the amplified specifically tells us not to murmur or question the providence of God. The word providence is defined as divine guidance or care. It can also mean timely preparation for potential events that could occur in the future. The Lord’s provision is closely tied to His will so when we criticize or question The Lord’s methods (how He provides), we miss His plan all together. 

Matthew 16:21-23 (NKJV)

21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to you!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me for you are not mindful of the things of God but the things of men.”

Here we see Peter question the plan and preparation that God had for Jesus Christ to endure the cross. Peter was exalting what he thought was right over the plan The Lord established and provided for. Peter’s criticism of The Lord’s plan positioned him to be likened to Satan who too thought The Lord’s established way should look different.

Isaiah 14:13-14 (NKJV)

13 For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my thrown above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High’

Peter’s mind was not set on the things that were true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, had virtue, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). As Jesus told him, his mind was set on the things of men, the carnal things. If his mind was set on the things of God, he would have pondered the words of Jesus instead of assuming they were in error. Peter would have been able to see that he was the one who got it wrong, and not Jesus.

See, the Lord will not have us to be ignorant and without understanding. It is only when one can look to The Lord with amazement and reverence, not indifference or criticism, will they be able to endure to understand. 

Proverbs 16:6 (NKJV)

In mercy and truth

Atonement is provided for iniquity

And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. 

Romans 2:7 (AMP)

To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life. 

Isaiah prophesied this to the children of Israel, that when they hallowed, revered The Lord, The Lord could start to turn their error into understanding and complaints to submission to His doctrine.

Isaiah 29:22-24 (NKJV)

22 Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: 

“Jacob shall not now be ashamed,

Nor shall his face now grow pale;

23 But when he sees his children,

The work of My hands, in his midst,

They will hallow My name,

And hallow the Holy One of Jacob,

And fear the God of Israel.

24 These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, 

And those who complained will learn doctrine.”

If you are in a constant state of complaining or trying to pick a part The way of The Lord know that it started in your heart and will stay there unless dealt with. Let's look at Judas.

John 12:3-6 (NKJV)

3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had no money box; and he used to take what was put in it.”

Judas set in his heart before he betrayed Jesus that the things of the Lord were common and not holy. His stealing and thinking only of what he could gain sets the scene for us to know how he feels about The Lord. That’s why reverencing The Lord should be essential because once we realize that He & His way is perfect, criticism is removed from the equation. We can only critique things that are not perfect.

Proverbs 18:30 (KJV)

30 As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him

Going back to the definition of providence and how it is the preparation for future potential events, I can’t help but to think about how Judas was indeed a part of the 12 disciples. He received the same teachings and commission as the other 11 (Matthew 10), yet he could not receive The Lord’s timely preparations because he was too busy questioning them in his heart. 

Saints, if you find yourself with this same mindset, look to 2 Corinthians 10:5, “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”. The phrase high thing is the Greek word hupsóma (hoop’-so-mah) meaning figurative barrier raised in pride or rebellion. Renounce the spirit of pride and rebellion in your life and adopt Christ’s mind of being a humbled servant to revere The Lord.