Finding Peace in God's Good Providence and Sovereignty
Peace in God's good providence and sovereignty is understood as a state of well-being and contentedness that originates from God and is rooted in the "Good News" of the Gospel [9, 10, 12]. This peace is a gift from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, often invoked by biblical authors like Paul [9, 10, 12]. It is distinct from worldly peace, which is often fleeting, and is instead a deep, abiding tranquility that comes through knowledge of God and Jesus Christ [1, 2].
The concept of God's providence refers to His ongoing preservation and governance of all things, often working through "second causes" [3]. This divine oversight extends to the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of both nations and individuals [3]. For instance, God's providence is seen in providing for animals (Psalm 104:21-29; Matthew 6:26) and in guiding human events (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21) [3]. Finding peace within this framework means recognizing that God is the author of peace (Psalm 147:14; Isaiah 45:7) and that true happiness for believers is found in Him (Psalm 73:25-26) [5, 6].
This peace is obtained through grace and is a work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:5) [4]. It is also connected to obedience to God (Leviticus 26:6) and trust in Him (Proverbs 16:20; Philippians 4:6-7) [5, 6]. Matthew Henry notes that peace with God is a primary benefit of justification, which resolves the enmity between humanity and a holy God caused by sin (Romans 5:1) [7]. The prophet Isaiah refers to Christ as the "Prince of Peace," signifying that His coming brings "full and perfect happiness" or "calm and blessed safety" [11]. In Hebrew, the term "peace" (shalom) often encompasses prosperity and all desirable blessings [11]. Therefore, peace in God's sovereignty is not merely an absence of conflict but a comprehensive well-being and security derived from His active and benevolent rule over all creation [8, 11].
Sources
- II Peter “II Peter 1:2 (BSB) — Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
- 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,”
- 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; ”
- 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 ”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
- 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”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:8: 4:8 Peace comes from God’s blessing and protection (4:6; see 37:11).”
- 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).”
- 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).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 15.20: We ought, therefore, to elevate our minds to that blessed and everlasting life, which as yet we see not , but which we possess by hope and faith . ( Romans 8:25 .) The Prince of Peace. This is the last title, and the Prophet declares by it that the coming of Christ will be the cause of full and perfect happiness, or, at least, of calm and blessed safety. In the Hebrew language peace often signifies prosperity , for of all blessings not one is better or more desirable than peace . The general meaning is, that all who submit to the dominion of”
- 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).”