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Providence and the Peace of God in Scripture

Divine providence refers to God's continuous activity of preserving and governing all things through secondary causes [1]. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture, illustrating God's active involvement in the natural world, the animal kingdom, and the affairs of humanity, including the free actions of individuals [1].

The scope of God's providence is extensive. It encompasses the natural world, as seen in passages like Psalm 104:14, 135:5-7, and Acts 14:17, which describe God providing for vegetation and controlling natural phenomena. The brute creation also falls under divine care, with Psalm 104:21-29, Matthew 6:26, and Matthew 10:29 indicating God's provision for animals and even the smallest birds [1]. Furthermore, God's providence extends to the affairs of nations and individuals. Passages such as 1 Chronicles 16:31, Psalm 47:7, Proverbs 21:1, Job 12:23, Daniel 2:21, and Daniel 4:25 affirm God's sovereignty over kingdoms and rulers. For individuals, 1 Samuel 2:6, Psalm 18:30, Luke 1:53, and James 4:13-15 highlight God's involvement in personal lives, including matters of life and death, and daily plans [1]. Even the free actions of human beings are understood to be within the scope of God's providence, as suggested by Exodus 12:36, 1 Samuel 24:9-15, and Psalm 33:14-15 [1].

Torrey's Topical Textbook further elaborates on the providence of God, describing it as His care over His works [2]. This care is manifested in several ways:

The concept of "waiting upon God" is closely linked to His providence, recognizing Him as the God of providence, salvation, and the giver of all temporal blessings [3]. This waiting involves seeking mercy, pardon, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His promises and word [3].

The "peace of God" is a distinct but related concept, often appearing in conjunction with "grace" in New Testament greetings [11, 12, 13, 14]. Grace is understood as undeserved blessing stemming from God's kindness, while peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness [11, 12, 13, 14]. These qualities are presented as gifts from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [11, 12, 13, 14]. For instance, 1 Peter 1:2 speaks of "Grace and peace be yours in abundance," according to God the Father's foreknowledge and the Spirit's sanctification [4]. Similarly, 2 Peter 1:2 states, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" [5, 6].

The Bible identifies God as the author of peace (Psalm 147:14; Isaiah 45:7; 1 Corinthians 14:33) [7]. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound state of well-being that results from various spiritual conditions and actions. Heavenly wisdom, for example, is said to produce peace (James 3:17) [7]. The government of Christ (Isaiah 2:4) and praying for rulers (1 Timothy 2:2) are also associated with peace [7]. Seeking the peace of those with whom one dwells (Jeremiah 29:7) is also encouraged [7].

The enjoyment of life is linked to peace (Psalm 34:12, 14; 1 Peter 3:10, 11) [7]. God bestows peace upon those who obey Him (Leviticus 26:6), please Him (Psalm 16:7), and endure His chastisements (Job 5:17, 23-24) [7]. Peace also serves as a bond of union within the community (Ephesians 4:3) [7]. The fruit of righteousness is to be sown in peace (James 3:18), and the church is promised to enjoy peace (Psalm 125:5; 128:6; Isaiah 2:4; Hosea 2:18) [7].

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Romans 5:1, connects peace with God to justification, stating that sin creates enmity between humanity and God. Justification, however, brings about peace with God, which is a precious benefit [15]. This peace is rooted in the Good News and is brought about by the Holy Spirit [11, 12, 13, 14]. Psalm 4:8 suggests that peace comes from God's blessing and protection [10].

Access to God, which facilitates the reception of His grace and peace, is granted through Christ (John 10:7, 9; 14:6; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:13; 3:12; Hebrews 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1 Peter 3:18) and by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) [8]. This access is obtained through faith (Acts 14:27; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 11:6) and follows reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21-22) [8]. It is a privilege for saints, allowing them to approach God with confidence to obtain mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16) [8].

The hope of believers is placed in God (Psalm 39:7; 1 Peter 1:21) and in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Timothy 1:1) [9]. This hope is nurtured by God's promises (Acts 26:6-7; Titus 1:2) and His mercy (Psalm 33:18) [9]. It is a work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:5) and is obtained through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16), the Word of God (Psalm 119:81), the patience and comfort of the Scriptures (Romans 15:4), the Gospel (Colossians 1:5, 23), and faith (Romans 5:1-2; Galatians 5:5) [9]. This hope is described as good, lively, sure, steadfast, gladdening, and blessed (2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 6:19; Proverbs 10:28; Titus 2:13) [9].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
  4. I Peter “I Peter 1:2 (BSB) — according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
  5. II Peter “II Peter 1:2 (BSB) — Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
  6. King James Version “[KJV] 2 Peter 1:2 — Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Peace — God is the author of -- Ps 147:14; Isa 45:7; 1Co 14:33. Results from Heavenly wisdom. -- Jas 3:17. The government of Christ. -- Isa 2:4. Praying for rulers. -- 1Ti 2:2. Seeking the peace of those with whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Necessary to the enjoyment of life -- Ps 34:12,14; 1Pe 3:10,11. God bestows upon those who Obey him. -- Le 26:6. Please him. -- Ps 16:7. Endure his chastisements. -- Job 5:17,23,24. Is a bond of union -- Eph 4:3. The fruit of righteousness should be sown in -- Jas 3:18. The church shall enjoy -- Ps 125:5; 128:6; Isa 2:4; Ho 2:18. Sain”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:8: 4:8 Peace comes from God’s blessing and protection (4:6; see 37:11).”
  11. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:2: 1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:2: 1:2 Paul usually invokes God’s grace and peace on those to whom he is writing. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness; peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
  13. Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 1:2: 1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:3: 1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from the kindness of God. Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness, rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Together, the phrase conveys things understood as gifts from God (see Rom 5:1-2).”
  15. Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 5:1: The precious benefits and privileges which flow from justification are such as should quicken us all to give diligence to make it sure to ourselves that we are justified, and then to take the comfort it renders to us, and to do the duty it calls for from us. The fruits of this tree of life are exceedingly precious. I. We have peace with God, Rom 5:1. It is sin that breeds the quarrel between us and God, creates not only a strangeness, but an enmity; the holy righteous God cannot in honour be at peace with a sinner while he continues under the guilt of sin. Justific”
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