Biblical patterns of
providence cannot be reduced to simple formulae along the lines of, “God helps those who help
themselves” or “God always rewards the righteous and curses the wicked.”
Neither of these statements, or the naïve sentiments they express, can be found
in the Bible. There are providential maxims that derive from the Bible, like, “Your
kingdom come,” and “All thing work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose” (Matt. 6:10; Rom. 8:28, respectively).
These statements, however, are hardly designed to be mechanically applied to
specific events. That God’s kingdom is coming gives us the courage to hope.
That God has a purpose for us gives us the strength to carry on. If we left
providence at that, however, there would be no need to inquire into the
specifics of a Christian of current events. The Bible offers practical
providential advice, but it often takes the form of correcting human
presumptions about the ways of God. Crucial in this regard is the reminder that
“the Lord disciplines those whom he loves” (Heb. 12:6), as well as the wisdom
that “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord
that he will be established” (Prov. 19:21). Providence is humbling as well as
encouraging. (Stephen H. Webb, American
Providence: A Nation With a Mission [New York: Continuum, 2004], 4)