“The providence of God reaches as far as the realm of prayer. It has to do with everything for which we pray. Nothing is too small for the eye of God, nothing too insignificant for His notice and His care… His care reaches to the smallest things and has to do with the most insignificant matters that concern men. He who believes in the God of providence is prepared to see His hand in all things that come to him and can pray about everything.”

Are you tempted to sometimes think that God doesn’t care or is not in control of some things that happen in your life or those around you? You may feel that you have prayed and prayed and still the door is shut. Yet you know in your heart that God wants to open it. God can open the door and make a way where there is no way. He is in control, and some things are going to take great faith to really believe and know that God is in control. He notices and cares about the smallest matters in your life. His providence reaches as far as the realm of prayer. If he could make a way for Moses and the children of Israel in an impossible situation, He can make a way for you.

In Exodus 14:13, we see a 3-part exhortation that Moses gave the children of Israel. This is a key to success in seeing and experiencing God’s control and deliverance in your circumstances.

• Fear not – There is a tendency to fear, doubt or question when the door is shut and the obstacles seem insurmountable. When life seems out of control, we must not give way to fear and doubt. We read in James 1:18, “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” There are 365 exhortations in the Bible to “fear not”, one for every day of the year.
• Stand still – There is a tendency to look in all other directions for the answer. But the real answer in most cases will be in standing still, holding our ground in prayer, and looking up into the face of God for the answer. Standing still is so hard for us. Yet it is the real key to success in the spiritual realm.
• See the salvation of the Lord – There is a tendency to look for other earthly things to be our salvation when the door is shut regarding our circumstances. Perhaps someone else will come to our rescue. Maybe if we do this or that, things will go in our direction. We must realize that ultimately salvation comes from the Lord. He is our deliverer. He is always in control.

“A man of prayer as well as the man of faith in God, Moses was on the ground. This man of prayer, who recognized God in providence, with commanding force, spoke to the people like this: ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord’. With this he lifted up his rod, and according to divine command, he stretched his hand over the sea. The waters divided, and the command issued forth, ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward’ (v. 15). And Israel went over the sea on dry ground. God had opened a way, and what seemed an impossible emergency was remarkably turned into a wonderful deliverance.”

What does the providence of God mean to us as believers? Providence in Webster’s Dictionary means “the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures, the act of providing or preparing for future use or application, foresight, timely care, particularly active foresight. A belief in divine providence is a source of great consolation to good men.” Another way to think about this is to realize that God is in control of everything. His care is timely. His eyes see everything. He superintends our lives and actively sees beforehand all that concerns us. This should be a source of great comfort and encouragement to each one of us. This should motivate us to recklessly abandonment ourselves to an all-knowing, all-seeing God who is in ultimate control.

The following are some verses that show God’s providential care in our lives. His providential care is seen in:

• The smallest details of our life – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). God cares for the smallest detail of your life!
• The working of all things together for our good – “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” (Romans 8:28). God works all things for your good!
• The ability of God to see and remember everything – “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God” (Luke 12:6). God remembers everything that you have prayed!
• The comforting presence of God in our life – “And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you. (Ex. 3:12). God is with you in the daily activities of your life!

“Nothing occurs by accident under the superintendence of an all-wiser and perfectly just God. Nothing happens by chance in God’s moral or natural government. God is a God of order, a God of law, but nonetheless a superintendent in the interest of His intelligent and redeemed creatures. Nothing can take place without the knowledge of God!”

When the going gets hard, it may seem like God is not in control or that He has not heard your prayers. Do not grow weak in your prayers. Strengthen your spirit in God’s Word, and cry out to Him. He is your deliverer who can break through any obstacle. Do not give way to fear, stand still in quietness and prayer before God, and see His salvation and deliverance. Know that in spite of circumstan-tial difficulties, God is in control. This is only a test of your faith.

Do you and I really know how truly great it is to be shut up to God where He alone is our deliverer and our salvation? When we have no other escape routes, we have truly come to the place where the supernatural can take over. The problem we often have is that we have squeezed God out of being our only source of deliverance. Let us pray, watch God open the way, and bring forth our deliverance.

“Prayer brings God’s providence into action. Prayer puts God to work in overseeing and directing earth’s affairs for the good of men. Prayer opens the way when it is shut up or hampered. Providence deals with temporalities most especially. It is in this realm that the providence of God shines brightest and is most apparent.”

Many times I have been in a place where God had to be my deliverer in certain situations in my life. If He didn’t come through, then there was no other way. I have seen God break through again and again. The street a few yards from my house is called “Providence Road”. It is a reminder to me that God is in total control. I choose to say “yes” to the providence of God. I choose to fear not, stand still, pray, and see the salvation of God.

Will you agree to the providential care of God in your life as well? Will you choose no other escape routes for yourself but God Himself? God is in control of your life and destiny. His providential care is active. His care is timely. Prayer brings His providence into action. He is overseeing and directing the affairs of your life, even when things seem contrary. Prayer will open the way before you. Prayer will bring God’s providence into action.

“Things that come to us from second causes are no surprise to God, nor are they beyond his control. His hand can take hold of them in answer to prayer, and He can make afflictions from whatever quarter they may come, work ‘for us a far more exceeding weight of glory’ (II Corinthians 4:17). The providence of God goes before his saints, opens the way, removes difficulties, solves problems, and rings deliverance when escape seems hopeless.” Quotes by E. M. Bounds

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC