Providential Circumstances

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series God's Hand

If I were to apply the following commentary and verses to my current situation, I might form an opinion that God has engineered my providential circumstances.

The call of God is the call according to the nature of God, where we go in obedience to that call depends entirely on the providential circumstances which God engineers.
Oswald Chambers, So I Send You: The Call; 3 The Vocation of the Natural Life of God

But when He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
Galatians 1:15-16 NASB2020

God has blessed me with so much. I have the tools, education, and experience to write (and blog,) organize, counsel, teach, speak truth, lead, and even build websites. My life’s journey which includes incredible transformation and healing, has left me with a heart to help others through the telling of my story. Although I sometimes have a tendency to let disappointment and hurt throw me into emotional tailspins, I am reminded daily of all God has done for me. After almost forty years of separation, God reunited me with the bride of my youth. He has given us two very strong sons, and three beautiful grandchildren (so far.) I’ve survived certain death from gunshot, lifelong depression, chemical addiction, mid-life loss and grief, the aging process, and many other storms. He has always been with me. I have no reason to believe that He would ever let me down or allow me to come to harm. Deuteronomy 3:18 (NIV) says, “… he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God continues to bless me with growth, wisdom, and abundant love. Today I measure progress, not perfection. Through study, teaching, and writing I have experienced “[God] revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2nd Corinthians 3:3.)

Here are just a few statements I find myself using regularly as illustrations of God’s providence in my life: God’s love surrounds me and those I love (Psalm 33:22.) He directs my steps when I let him and corrects my course when I don’t (Proverbs 3:5-6.) He prepares for me a table in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5.) He softens my heart when unforgiveness threatens to crush me (2 Chronicles 34:27 NASB2020.) He writes his Word on my heart (2 Corinthians 3:3.) He lifts me up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31.) His joy is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10.) His heart is my greatest desire (Psalm 37:4.)

If I let him, God will continue to guide and protect my life into the future and then eternity.

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’
Jeremiah 29:11

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