Providential Ironies
 

Once, when I was a new employee, it became evident that a senior employee, who I’ll call Joe, had made it his goal to get me let go.  In one case, the accusations Joe had made against me resulted in me being called into my manager’s office and needing to bring a witness to verify my actions. This went on for years; then there was a series of layoffs.  Over 30 people were let go, including Joe and myself.  Other departments decided to pick up some of us before the layoff date.  There was only one person who was never able to find a job.  Yes, you guessed it right: Joe.

A youth minister friend of ours had problems with an obnoxious motorcycle rider on his street. There were kids on the block, the motorcyclist would ride too fast, and the bike’s open exhaust would rattle everyone’s windows.  My friend had spoken nicely to him, but the guy pretty much told him to mind his own business.

The next time the guy took off too fast, the minister was in his front yard and he waved and yelled at the guy to slow down. The motorcyclist rode away at speed displaying an inappropriate finger gesture, holding his hand very close to his face in defiance. My friend, who was very fast on his feet verbally, yelled, “What is that - a kickstand for your nose?” The motorcyclist crashed a few hundred feet later when he tried to make a turn at the end of the block. The friend was never sure if he was going too fast, if he was laughing too hard and couldn’t make the turn, or perhaps that slick spot on the road was just God’s hand of judgment on him...

The Bible is full of ironic situations.  In Genesis 37:1 – 46:30 is the story of Joseph where his brothers became jealous and sold him to slave traders. The ironic result was Joseph ended up in a position of power and authority that God used to rescue his starving family and the same brothers that had originally plotted against him. The story of Joseph had several twists when he was knocked down and looked to be out…including spending time in prison for a crime he did not commit. Then he helped someone while he was in jail by interpreting a dream only for his kindness to be forgotten. Through all these events God’s eventual purpose was not thwarted.

In Esther we read that Haman hatched a plan to get rid of Mordecai and was building a 75 foot high gallows to hang him on when that plan backfired and resulted in Haman having to honor and escort Mordecai throughout the city on one of the King’s horses.  Eventually, Esther cleverly revealed all that Haman had been plotting against her people and Haman was hanged on the same gallows that he had built for Mordecai.

I realize that God uses these providential ironic situations to demonstrate His power in our lives and to draw others to Himself.  There are many biblical examples when God’s men and women looked like they were on the rocks, but God was about to demonstrate His great power and protection on their behalf.  The result was that God would be glorified and even unbelievers would see demonstrated the power and protection of God.

We see the classic example in Daniel 6:1-28 when Daniel was plotted against by the King’s administrators.  Seeking a way to find fault with Daniel they enacted a law that resulted with Daniel in the lion’s den. The ugly twist of the plot came when God protected Daniel and the evil administrators and their families suffered the very fate that they had plotted against Daniel. The final exclamation point to the story is in Daniel 6:26 & 27 where the secular King Darius beautifully states how great Daniel’s God is:

"For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

So I need to see adversity not as a negative but maybe a stepping stone when God can deliver one of His little ironies to show others His protection and care.  I’m trying to learn that when I face difficulties, instead of getting angry or getting depressed, to rejoice in God’s continued protection.  There may be a providential irony just around the corner… 

Richard Lewis
Pathway Christian Church
Riverside, CA