Trusting Providence in Marriage and Relationship Challenges

The concept of providence is central to understanding God's involvement in human relationships, including marriage. Providence refers to God's care and governance over all creation, guiding events to achieve His purposes ^{[1, 2]}. In the context of marriage and relationships, trusting in providence means having faith that God is actively working to bring about good, even in the face of challenges.

The biblical basis for understanding providence in marriage begins with the institution of marriage itself. Marriage is described as a divinely instituted relationship, with God creating Eve as a companion for Adam ^[3]. The biblical account emphasizes the importance of marriage for human happiness, the raising of godly offspring, and the prevention of fornication ^[3].

In marriage, providence is seen in the way God brings partners together and guides their interactions. For example, the story of Isaac and Rebekah illustrates how God directs the circumstances that lead to the formation of a marriage. Abraham's servant prays for guidance, and God answers by providing a clear sign in the form of Rebekah's kindness and generosity ^[9]. This narrative demonstrates how God is actively involved in the details of human relationships.

The biblical teaching on marriage also highlights the importance of faithfulness and mutual respect within the relationship. In 1 Timothy 3:2, the requirement for a church leader to be "the husband of one wife" emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in marriage ^[5]. Similarly, 1 Peter 3:6 encourages wives to maintain a respectful and submissive attitude towards their husbands, even in challenging circumstances.

In the face of relationship challenges, believers are encouraged to trust in God's providence. This involves recognizing that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including the natural world, human affairs, and individual circumstances ^[2]. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's providence extends to the free actions of men, suggesting that He can work through human decisions to achieve His purposes ^[2].

The Puritan commentary on Proverbs 19:14 notes that a virtuous wife is a gift from God's providence, highlighting the idea that God is actively involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy relationships ^[4]. This perspective encourages believers to view their relationships as part of a larger narrative of God's providential care.

The New Testament also provides examples of how God's providence operates in the lives of believers and their families. In Luke 4:38, the healing of Simon's wife's mother demonstrates how Jesus' ministry can bring blessing to the families of His followers ^[6]. Similarly, in Acts 10:17, the encounter between Peter and Cornelius is described as an example of God's providential guidance, where the prayers and visions of both individuals are brought together to facilitate the spread of the Gospel ^[7].

In Ephesians 5:21, the apostle Paul instructs believers to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and love within Christian relationships ^[8]. This instruction is part of a broader discussion on how believers should relate to one another within the household, highlighting the role of providence in shaping these relationships.

Sources

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”
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: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 19:14: Note, 1. A discreet and virtuous wife is a choice gift of God's providence to a man - a wife that is prudent, in opposition to one that is contentious, Pro 19:13. For, though a wife that is continually finding fault may think it is her wit and wisdom to be so, it is really her folly; a prudent wife is meek and quiet, and makes the best of every thing. If a man has such a wife, let him not ascribe it to the wisdom of his own choice or his own management (for the wisest have been deceived both in and by a woman), but let him ascribe it to the goodness of God, who”
1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 3:2: 3:2 whose life is above reproach: This is the most general prerequisite for a community leader and public representative (see 3:7, 10; 5:7; 6:14; Titus 1:6-7; 2:8). • must be faithful to his wife (or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; literally must be the husband of one wife; also in 1 Tim 3:12): This assumes but does not require a married male. It mainly addresses purity and faithfulness in the marriage relationship, something that could not be taken for granted in the surrounding culture; it probably does not prohibit remarriage after the ”
Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 4:38: Simon's wife's mother - See on Mat 8:14-17 (note). As soon as Peter began to follow Christ, his family began to benefit by it. It is always profitable to contract an acquaintance with good men. One person full of faith and prayer may be the means of drawing down innumerable blessings on his family and acquaintance. Every person who knows the virtue and authority of Christ should earnestly seek his grace in behalf of all the spiritually diseased in his household; nor can he seek the aid of Christ in vain.”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 10:17: While Peter doubted - the men - stood before the gate - In all this we find an admirable display of the economy of Providence. Cornelius prays, and has a vision which prepares him to receive instruction from Peter: Peter prays, and has a vision which prepares and disposes him to give instruction to Cornelius. While he is in doubts and perplexity what the full meaning of the vision might be, the messengers, who had been despatched under the guidance of an especial Providence, came to the door; and the Holy Spirit gives him information that his doubts should be all cle”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:21: 5:21–6:9 Paul gives specific instructions on how believers are to relate to one another in a Christian home (see also Col 3:18–4:1; 1 Pet 2:18–3:7). Love and respect are to characterize all relationships in the body of Christ as an expression of believers’ commitment to the Lord himself. 5:21 And further, submit to one another: The verb form links it with the command to be filled (5:18). This general instruction (cp. Phil 2:3) applies to all three relationships that Paul discusses: wives and husbands (Eph 5:22-33), children and their parents (6:1-4), and slaves”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 24:12: And he said, O Lord God of my master--The servant appears worthy of the master he served. He resolves to follow the leading of Providence; and while he shows good sense in the tokens he fixes upon of ascertaining the temper and character of the future bride, he never doubts but that in such a case God will direct him.”

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