Divine Providence

Last week, on September 18, we entered the new Hebraic Year 5770. In Hebrew, numbers have meaning and this new Hebraic Year is called “Ayin” (pronounced ah’-yin) which means, “Eye”. The word of the Lord in Psalms 32:8 is very encouraging, directive, and intimate. He says,  “I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”

Can you imagine the Lord Himself instructing, teaching, and counseling you? Do you realize the magnitude of this word? In our human language, we use degrees of comparison when we compare something or someone — but God does not. He is incomparable — we cannot compare Him to anyone or anything. We use the word “strong, stronger, strongest.” When God delivered the Hebrews from the land of Egypt, He said, ” I will deliver you with My strong hand.” Why didn’t God use the word “strongest?” Because in God’s vocabulary, He is strong and outside of Him there is no other strength.

Let me give you another example. Solomon is known as the wisest man. Again, in our human language, we use degrees of comparison, “wise, wiser, wisest.” But the Bible clearly explains that Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God. That means, outside of God there is no other wisdom; because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor.1:25)

Another example would be when we talk about someone’s name, fame, power, or authority. Imagine the significance of this word, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” (Phil.2:10)

Having said all this, can you now imagine the magnitude of God as the One who says, “I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” That means, His very presence is with you. You will experience Divine Instruction, Divine Direction, Divine Counsel, Divine Guidance, Divine Purpose and Divine Providence.

He is there for you who believe and He is ready and willing to guide you lovingly. However, the very next verse says, “Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” (Ps.32:9)

God is patiently, graciously, and lovingly waiting for our response. Some people only want to have enough God to bless their family, business, or health. Jesus wants us to receive Him not only as our Savior, but also as our LORD. He came down to reach us. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor.8:9)

This week, we conclude our forty-day corporate fasting. I salute all of you who endured until the very end. May you experience more of God’s presence and let us continuously live according to Isaiah 58 as our guidance.