Prevenient Grace and Divine Providence (Gen. 50:20)
The great Bible example of prevenient grace and divine providence is the story of Joseph. After the death of his father, Joseph told his brothers: “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result…” (Gen. 50:20 HCSB). Prevenient grace and divine providence are God’s overriding of even the strongest will and the most meticulously prepared plans of humankind. He brings history under His control. After all, it is His creation.
There are many human strategies out there today as well as yesterday. However, today finds God’s sovereignty is in control. The human heart has an unlimited capacity for intended evil. Those who are the recipients of this evil — like Joseph — might question the accusations of his master, the slavery of prison and the duplicity of his brothers.
Perhaps you may have come to a place of hopelessness. Your boss, your family, even your dear life mate may have shocked you with accusations of unspeakable things. You might even find yourself in a hopeless situation — and that situation is not of your own doing. Family squabbles that turn to life blows are humanly not repairable. Professional dishonesty that leads to career-ending consequences is emotionally and financially threatening.
The use of the term prevenient grace and divine providence actually carries with it the significance of producing a sense of anticipation. This kind of grace lets us look with anticipation and expectation at what God is going to do — even in the darkest of circumstances. The prevenient grace of God and His divine providence will overrule and override all that humanity has in its evil plan for you! God will work for His good all that is needed to accomplish your life to His Kingdom’s glory.
Joseph knew the fear of a pit, the smell of prison and the angst of forgottenness, yet he looked back to see God’s grace encircling the events of his life to bring him to the place God intended all along. God’s prevenient grace and divine providence accomplished the Lord’s best for him — and even for his brothers.
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Dr. Tony Cleaver
Dr. Tony Cleaver pens a column titled, Leave It To Cleaver, in which he talks about a wide variety of topics relevant to the modern church and BMA Baptists.
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