Providence

God is active in our lives


March 11, 2009 (Wednesday)
picture of CharlesWhen Roger Williams fled religious persecution in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636, he established a refuge in Rhode Island that he named, “Providence,” which simply means that God is active in the affairs of humankind. Williams felt that God had led him to that place at that time.
One of the great statements in the Bible was spoken by Mordecai in the Book of Esther. He urged Queen Esther to take action to save her people and reminded her that she had been made Queen “for such a time as this.” She was, like Roger Williams later, at the right place at the right time.
We believe that “lucky” is not as descriptive for us as “fortunate.” We prefer “providence” to “coincidence” or “fate.” We believe God is active in His world. We worship Him, honor Him, praise Him, adore Him and call upon Him in prayer because we believe He is in charge.
A new survey shows that 15% of Americans now are not believers in any kind of divine being. The non-believers appear to be growing in numbers. We believers feel that God’s guidance and care of us is undeniable.
Each of us who believes in the God of the universe joins with Joshua of old, who said to the people he was leading, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve .. but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). We feel that God has placed us where He wants us at a time of His choosing. As the hymn testifies, “He leadeth me, Oh blessed thought.”