Providence? You Mean Rhode Island?

Providence, Rhode Island. 

The capital of Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a reformed Baptist exile from Massachusetts Bay Colony. 

In finding the beautiful land, he named it in honor of “God’s merciful providence”. 

Which begs the question.

What is this familiar but still yet foreign word? 

Webster dictionary defines it as “divine guidance or care” or God’s “power sustaining and guiding human destiny”. 

Those few words generate a topic with a large amount of breadth to explore within a small devotion! 

So we won’t. 

But we will explore the limitations of our enemy. 

Job 1:12 is one of the common Scriptures that Christians turn to when defending providence as a characteristic of God.

In the book of Job we see that the many awful things that transpire are not a work of God; but simply an allowance of God. 

Satan has no power above or against God and is an opportunist who prowls the Earth waiting for an opportunity to administer evilness (Job 1:7; Peter 5:8). 

Nothing happens that God does not see. Nothing happens that God does not know. 

Although there is sin in the world, from the original sin of Adam, there is nothing that God cannot work to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Be sure that God’s will and plans are higher than ours. 

And like Job, no matter the storms of our lives, we can stand firm and glorify God through it all.

Like Paul, we can fight the good fight, finish the course, and receive our Heavenly reward.

The Apostle Paul proclaims in the face of his imminent death that, 

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

God cares for each and everyone of us.

Do not be dismayed when life’s trials present themselves. 

Our names may be cursed, our bodies may be broken; nonetheless, by God’s providence and sealing of our soul, we will stand firm to see the light of His Heavenly gates (2 Timothy 4:18). 

God bless!