Providence is the invisible hand of God. It is God directing, guiding and providing for his people, even when you can’t see him.

Some people say they trust in God’s providence, and then they use that as an excuse for not responding to God’s call on their lives. They think to themselves, ‘Well, God is going to work things out in the end, so it doesn’t really matter if I help that person or share my faith or stand up to untruth…’

God is most certainly providential. At the same time, he works through his people. 

Consider Esther. Her people were facing annihilation. Her adoptive father Mordechai encouraged her to go to the king to plead for their lives, even if she was risking hers in the process. He said: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Notice his words. He said that “relief and deliverance” will come for the Jews “from another place.” In other words, he trusted that his people would experience redemption. At the same time, he encouraged Esther to see herself as an instrument of God. Perhaps she has come to her royal position “for such a time as this.”

Don’t use providence as an excuse for inaction.

God is God. Always. He brings good out of bad. He redeems his people. His light shines. Injustice and evil will come to a full and final end. One day he will usher in the new heavens and the new earth.

This same God puts his own Spirit within his people to be a part of his work in the world.

Relief and deliverance would come for God’s people in Susa. And relief and deliverance will come in our own day—and beyond. And by God’s grace each of us has a role to play—a role of faith, love, truth and holiness. 

The church isn’t called the hands and feet of Jesus just because it sounds poetic.

Don’t use providence as an excuse for inaction. 

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Notes:

—Bible quotes are from the NIV.