Different Types of Believers: Lessons in Faith, Purpose, and Divine Providence

There are several types of believers, two of which will be outlined below.

Type One: “God Created the World — Now It’s Up to Us”

Some people say that yes, God created the world, but then left its management to us, so “everyone does what’s right in their own eyes.” If someone harms us, they believe we should immediately strike back. If a person lacks something, he’s simply unfortunate; whoever has everything is happy.

Why this view is mistaken: Every creation has a purpose and a reason behind it. If a human maker creates with intention, all the more so the Creator of such a wondrous world did so with purpose. Anyone who looks into the Torah sees clear evidence of a tradition passed down by our ancestors: an entire nation of more than three million people witnessed a revelation at Sinai when God declared, “I am the Lord your God.” All Israel then accepted His kingship, responding, “We will do and we will hear.”

Type Two: “God During Prayer — Forgotten the Rest of the Day”

Others acknowledge God’s existence during prayer, in performing mitzvot (commandments), and while studying Torah, but forget Him in their day-to-day dealings.

For example, a man whose friend fails to repay a loan becomes angry and does everything possible to get his money back. Yet the Torah instructs: “You shall not press him” (Devarim 15:2). If he cannot repay, do not pursue him. The lesson is that this too was allowed by God; He is the one who ultimately permitted the loss. Instead of anger, the person should remember that God alone rules the world, turn to Him to annul the decree, and accept His will with love.

Why Did David Merit Becoming the “Fourth Leg of the Divine Chariot”?

King David wrote in Tehillim: “I have set the Lord before me always.” In other words, in every action of his life, he saw the Divine hand.

A defining moment: When Shimei ben Gera cursed David bitterly — during David’s darkest hour, while fleeing from his son Avshalom, his commander Avishai ben Tzeruiah asked to strike Shimei down. David stopped him and said: “The Lord told him to curse; who can say to him, ‘Why do you do so?’”

What this means: No person can harm another unless God willed it and gave them the power to do so. If it comes from Him, we accept it with love and humility.

The Sages teach that at the very moment David said, “The Lord told him to curse,” he merited to become the ‘fourth leg of the Divine Chariot.’ Why only then? David was already a great righteous leader who had done mighty deeds (like defeating Goliath). The answer is that the greatest test of faith is not during prayer or ritual, but when another human hurts us (with words, physically, or financially). If in that moment we recognize it all comes from God, and that He alone directs the world, we’ve reached a high level of faith.

An even higher level is to know that everything we experience — including what other people do to us, is directed by God, not by human will. Beyond that, to know that everything that happens throughout our lives is ultimately for our benefit, because God is a loving Father, and whatever He decrees is for good.

Testing Our Faith in Daily Life

Following are practical examples to check how deeply we believe that God governs the world.

When Your Back “Goes Out”

Typical reaction: Sharp back pain strikes and the first thoughts are: Which orthopedist is available today? Which medicine will work fastest?

Faith-first response (without skipping medical care): “Master of the Universe, I understand You decreed this pain. Please send complete healing. If I did something wrong that brought this on, I regret it and will correct my ways. I know You can heal me right now without medicine or treatment. I’ll say a chapter of Tehillim for my recovery and give charity to those in need.”

If the pain remains after turning to God, then seek medical help, as the Sages taught: “And he shall surely heal” (Shemot 21:19), meaning permission was given to physicians to heal. The doctor is a messenger. Even if the medicine works and you feel better, remember that it was God who decided the medicine would help. If He had not willed it, the treatment would not have succeeded.

This does not imply to avoid doctors. The question is where our heart turns first. Do we truly know that God is the sole Healer? He is the One who brings illness and can heal instantly. Our immediate effort should therefore be directed toward Him by understanding any message, improving our actions, and then turning to His agents, the doctors, to ease the pain if needed.