The Divine Providence of God in Evil Times

The divine providence of God assures us that God remains sovereign even when evil appears to be gaining ground.

On July 13, 2024, a gunman attempted to assassinate then-former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One spectator was killed, and Trump and two other spectators were wounded. The FBI investigated the shooting as an assassination attempt.

This act of political violence was a painful reminder that:

• Evil exists throughout our fallen world.
• Political violence is evil regardless of its target.
• Evil is not confined to one political party or ideology.
• Hateful rhetoric can dehumanize people and encourage destructive behavior.
• Christians must oppose evil without becoming consumed by hatred themselves.

What Is the Divine Providence of God?

The divine providence of God is His continuous preservation and sovereign governance of everything He created. God sustains the universe, rules over nations, and works through human events to accomplish His purposes.

This does not mean that God approves of evil or that human beings are not responsible for their actions. It means that evil never places events outside God’s ultimate authority.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
—Psalm 103:19

God’s providence does not promise that Christians will understand every tragedy. It assures us that evil cannot overthrow His plans.

For a deeper examination of why God permits pain in a fallen world, listen to If God Is Good, Why Is There Suffering?.

What Does the Bible Teach About Evil?

Evil will remain present in this world until the Day of the Lord, when God intervenes decisively in human history, judges sin, and establishes the authority of Jesus Christ.

Scripture does not teach Christians to pretend that evil is harmless. It calls us to recognize evil, resist it, and respond according to God’s Word.

Jesus warned about the eternal consequences of rejecting God. In Mark 9:47–48, He described Hell as a place “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

The Bible’s warnings about judgment make the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ even more urgent.

How Should Christians Respond to Evil?

Christians are not powerless in evil times. Scripture gives us several practical ways to respond.

Pray According to God’s Will

Prayer should be our first response rather than our last resort.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
—1 John 5:14–15

We should pray for victims, grieving families, national leaders, law-enforcement officers, and even those who oppose or persecute us.

Jesus Himself continues to intercede for believers. Learn more in Does Jesus Christ Pray for You?.

Refuse Hatred and Political Violence

Christians must reject the idea that hatred becomes acceptable when directed toward someone with whom we disagree.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
—Matthew 5:44

Loving an enemy does not mean approving of evil. It means refusing to let hatred govern our hearts, words, or actions.

Use Your Influence Responsibly

Christians can use their financial influence by supporting organizations and businesses that do not promote hatred or dehumanize others.

We can also vote prayerfully for candidates and policies consistent with our biblical convictions. Political engagement should remain peaceful, lawful, truthful, and grounded in love for our neighbors.

For more about Christian faith and civil authority, read Freedom from Tyranny: Civil Disobedience?.

Understand the Spiritual Battle

The struggle against evil extends beyond politics, personalities, and institutions.

Ephesians 6:12 teaches that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of wickedness.

Other human beings are not the ultimate enemy. Remembering this helps Christians oppose evil without treating political opponents, neighbors, or family members as enemies to be destroyed.

The Good News: Jesus Christ Will Return

Evil will not continue forever. Jesus Christ will return, judge evil, and establish His righteous rule.

We believe the next major event in biblical prophecy is the Rapture of the Church. First Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54 describe believers being gathered to Christ.

First Thessalonians 4:16–17 says the dead in Christ will rise first. Believers who remain alive will then be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air.

Christians can face evil with hope because history is moving toward the return and final victory of Jesus Christ.

Where Do We See the Providence of God?

Scripture reveals God’s providence throughout creation and human history.

God Rules Over Creation

Psalm 103:19 declares that God established His throne in the heavens and that His sovereignty rules over all. Every part of creation remains under His authority.

God Governs the Material World

Jesus said that God causes the sun to rise and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). The natural world continues because God sustains it.

God Watches Over the Nations

Psalm 66:7 says God rules by His might and watches over the nations. No government stands outside His authority.

God Directs Human Lives

Paul recognized that God had set him apart before birth and called him through grace (Galatians 1:15). God’s plans for His people begin before they can understand them.

God Rules Over Human Achievement

Luke 1:52 says God has brought down rulers and exalted the humble. Positions of power are temporary and remain subject to Him.

God Protects His People

Psalm 4:8 says God enables His people to dwell in safety. His protection does not mean they will never suffer; it means they remain eternally secure in His care.

Was Donald Trump’s Survival an Act of Divine Providence?

I believe Donald Trump’s survival was an expression of the divine providence of God.

At the same time, we must speak with humility. Scripture does not reveal why God allowed one person to survive while another person died that day. Survival does not prove that God endorses every action, belief, or policy of the person who survives.

God’s providence includes circumstances we celebrate and mysteries we cannot explain. It should lead us toward gratitude, prayer, humility, and repentance—not partisan triumphalism.

Trusting God in Evil Times

Evil is real, but it is not sovereign. Political violence, spiritual darkness, and human hatred cannot overthrow the purposes of God.

Christians should respond to evil by:

• Praying according to God’s will.
• Rejecting hatred and violence.
• Loving and praying for their enemies.
• Using their influence responsibly.
• Participating peacefully in civic life.
• Remembering that the ultimate struggle is spiritual.
• Trusting in the return and victory of Jesus Christ.

The divine providence of God gives Christians hope in evil times. We may not understand everything God allows, but we can trust that His sovereignty rules over all.

If you are troubled, grieving, or concerned about someone you love, send us your prayer request.

Blessings to you and your loved ones,

Pastor John Haggard

Scripture quotations are from the NASB translation unless otherwise noted.