“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’” (Isaiah 46:9–10 (ESV)
Today’s reading recommendation is Pastor John Piper’s book Providence. Published in 2020 by Crossway, it may be considered his Magnum Opus (great work). Dr. Piper has crafted a masterpiece of sound biblical doctrine and practical application.
John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He previously served for over three decades as the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of over fifty books.
Piper’s thesis is fourfold. First, he invites the reader “into a world of counterintuitive wonders of God’s unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways (Rom. 11:33).
Second, he desires readers to penetrate through words into the reality of biblical truth. Like the words Trinity, Discipleship, Evangelism, Exposition, Counseling, Ethics, Politics and Charismatics, the word Providence is not found in the Scriptures. However, the doctrine or teaching certainly is according to Piper.
He defines providence as God’s purposeful sovereignty. Providence contains the idea of God’s purposeful action. He alone has the right and power to do all that He wills. “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” (Isaiah 46:10).
“Providence means to supply what is needed; to give sustenance or support. So in reference to God, the noun providence has come to mean the act of purposefully providing for, or sustaining and governing, the world. God sees to it that things happen in a certain way,” explains Dr. Piper.
Third, Piper wants the reader to enter into a God-centered world. “Jesus said to look at the birds because God clothes them (Matt. 6:26), and to consider the lilies because God clothes them (Matt. 6:28-30). His aim was to free His people from anxiety. He really considered it a valid argument that if our heavenly Father feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, how much more surely will He feed and clothe His children,” states Piper.
Fourth, Piper invites us to know God’s involvement in our lives is so all-embracing, pervasive and powerful. All life’s occurrences are what God designs for our glorification of Him and His sanctification and ultimate glorification of us (2 Thess.1:12).
The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 defines providence. Part 2 focuses on the ultimate goal of providence. Part 3 is on the nature and means of providence.
At 711 pages, not including a General and Scripture index, Piper’s work seems intimidating at first glance. However, the chapters have multiple subheadings containing an average of four-five paragraphs. Reading each section a day makes the reading journey much more manageable and enjoyable.
Have a blessed day. Read well!
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 