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Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins
The Providence of God: Why Christians Can Trust God in Every Circumstance
By Dave Jenkins
Episode Summary
In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains the doctrine of the providence of God—what it means, where Scripture teaches it, and how it strengthens believers in everyday life and in seasons of suffering. You’ll learn the classic threefold framework of preservation, government, and concurrence, and why God’s providence calls Christians to trust, gratitude, humility, prayer, and faithful obedience.
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Key Scriptures
- Hebrews 1:3
- Psalm 115:3
- Ephesians 1:11
- Acts 17:28
- Genesis 50:20
- Romans 8:28
Episode Highlights
- Providence means that God preserves, governs, and directs all things according to His wisdom and purpose.
- God’s sovereignty is seen in His rule over every detail of life.
- Three aspects of providence: preservation, government, and concurrence.
- God’s providence comforts believers in suffering and anchors Romans 8:28 as a bedrock promise.
- This doctrine shapes our response with trust, gratitude, humility, prayer, and faithful obedience.
Full Article / Transcript
The providence of God is one of the most comforting and foundational doctrines of the Christian life.
Many believers use the word providence, yet struggle to explain what it means or how it applies to everyday life. Scripture, however, speaks clearly: God rules over all things with wisdom, power, and purpose.
This doctrine answers those questions with clarity, hope, and confidence. God rules all things well.
What Is the Providence of God?
Providence means that God continually preserves, governs, and directs all things according to His wisdom, power, and purpose.
It includes everything—from the greatest events to the smallest details, and every ordinary moment in between.
The Providence of God in Scripture
Scripture teaches that God upholds all things by His power (Hebrews 1:3), does all that He pleases (Psalm 115:3), and works all things according to His will (Ephesians 1:11).
Providence is the sovereignty of God in action.
Three Aspects of the Providence of God
Preservation: God sustains all things.
Government: God directs all events toward His purposes.
Concurrence: God works through human actions without removing responsibility.
This doctrine reveals His wisdom in weaving all things together.
The Providence of God in Suffering
In suffering, God’s providence reminds us that we are not abandoned. God is present, sovereign, and wise.
Romans 8:28 assures believers that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
Even when we cannot see His hand, we can trust His heart.
How Christians Should Respond to God’s Providence
God’s providence calls believers to trust Him, give thanks, walk in humility, pray with confidence, and live in faithful obedience.
God is at work in every detail of life, conforming His people into the image of Christ.
Next week: How do Christians deal with guilt and shame biblically?
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
