Don Stewart :: What Is God's Unconditional Providence?

There are certain aspects to the providence of God that are not dependent upon the action or inaction by its subjects. They include the following.

The Physical Universe Is Under God's Unconditional Control

God exercises unconditional control over the physical universe.

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings for the rain, who brings forth the wind from his treasuries (Psalm 135:6,7).

The writer to the Hebrews stated.

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Hebrews 1:3).

The Plant World Is Unconditionally Cared For

The Lord unconditionally looks after the plant world.

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30).

The Animal World Is Under God's Unconditional Care

God looks after all of the animals in spite of their behavior.

These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time (Psalm 104:27).

Jesus said.

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Matthew 6:26).

Jesus also said.

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father (Matthew 10:29).

Humankind Is Looked After Unconditionally By The Lord

With respect to basic needs, God looks after the entire human race. Jesus said.

That you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).

Paul said.

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy (Acts 14:17).

Paul also said.

For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, we are his offspring (Acts 17:28).

Summary

There is an unconditional providence of God that reaches the physical universe, the animal world, the plant world, and every human being. This providence is not dependent in any way upon the actions of those that receive the benefit of God's providing care.