Scripture: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Devotion: We discussed yesterday how Ruth 2 helps us to see and understand God’s providence. It is one of the main ideas that comes from this chapter of Ruth. The message on Sunday referenced how God’s provision often shows up in the little ways; in the “just so happened” moments. He uses natural circumstances to bring about supernatural plans. But, if you are anything like me, the very idea of providence hasn’t be given a ton of thought. What exactly is God’s providence?
The definition of providence, a noun, is, “God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding of human destiny.” He sustains us. He guides us. He makes everything work together for His purposes. When we break down the word “provide,” the Latin behind -vide meaning “to foresee” or “to see toward.” Sounds a little like the phrase, “I will see to it”, doesn’t it?
John Piper reflects on that very idea this way, “I think that is one of the most helpful paraphrases of God’s acts of providence. It is God’s seeing to everything. Absolutely everything that needs to be done to bring about his purposes, God sees to it that it happens.” Sometimes this doesn’t look the way we want it to, does it? Knowing that God uses grief, trauma, and pain just as much as He uses success, joy, and blessings for His purposes for us and in this world can be confusing.
But that is where we can take heart and cling to Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Take a look at the first three words of this verse. We can know that God will use everything: all of the heartache, delight, screw ups, and right steps. When we know Him as Lord and Savior of our life, we can trust that He uses it all for His purposes. He uses it all for His glory. Just as he used the circumstances of Ruth and Naomi’s life.
Reflect:
- Where in your life have you believed the lie that God can’t use or redeem you?
- How have you seen God use different situations in your life to bring glory to Himself?