Stephen H. Webb on the Nature of Divine Providence

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)