Peculiar Providence

In my experience with God, I often find his providence peculiar. God's ways can be down right irrational at times, if not most of the time. Even so, in the midst of the irrationalities, you can see God's hand. The Bible is filled with examples of God's irrational providence.

Abraham comes to mind when I think about peculiar providence. The fact that God told Abraham to take his long awaited son, Isaac, and sacrifice him, fits well into irrational providence. The story of Joseph, and how God used the evil of his brothers to get him to Egypt also fits into this category. And of course, the most irrational thing that happens in the Bible is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Let's face it, peculiar providence is rather common in the life of God's people.

The Apostle Paul was no stranger to peculiar providence. When he had a vision of the risen Savior in Acts chapter nine, the Lord told Paul that he would experience irrational providence in his life. From that point on, Paul found himself in situations that would make many of us turn our backs on Christ. However, you can see God's hand directing Paul every step of the way.

I found Paul's experience in Jerusalem, recorded in Acts, chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, is one of those irrational workings of God. Paul shows up in Jerusalem and takes every precaution not to offend the Jews. Rumor was spreading that Paul was against the Law of Moses and the temple. Paul soon found out that even the best of intentions can be misunderstood, and he was thrown in jail. He then has the opportunity in chapter twenty-two to share his conversion story. The crowd listens until Paul mentions the Gentiles, and they immediately become angry and want to kill him.

At first, one might think that this is unfair. How could God allow this to happen to Paul? It's not until you get to chapter twenty-three that you understand the peculiar providence. One night, under the protection of the tribune, Paul receives these words from the Lord, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome" (Acts 23:11). God had a plan, and was working out that plan, albeit through irrational means.

When you are struggling with God's ways in your own life, remember that God is in control, and he has a plan. If fact, take some time to reflect upon God's providence in the past, and you will find that God is always faithful to his people even during those times that his ways seem irrational and peculiar.