Does God Watch Over Me? Understanding Divine Providence in Daily Life

As we move through life, many of us wonder if God truly sees what we're going through and everything that happens to us at every moment. One of the foundations of faith that brings inner peace is the belief in God’s providence over us. Knowing that everything that happens is planned for us and intended to advance us along our life’s path, provides deep and eternal meaning to the events and challenges we face.

The awareness that there is a Creator who loves me, who values me as His only child, and who cares for me and watches over me, brings peace to the soul and strength in difficult times.

The Book of Psalms (33:13–15) states: “From Heaven the Lord looks; He sees all the children of men. From His dwelling place He watches all the inhabitants of the earth; He who forms the hearts of them all, who understands all their deeds.”

Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah (32:19) says: “Great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of men, to give to each one according to his ways and the fruit of his deeds.”

The Talmud also teaches: “A person does not bruise his finger below unless it was decreed upon him from above, as it is said: ‘From the Lord are a man’s steps established; how then can man understand his own way?’” (Chullin 7b)

Is God’s Providence Logical?

Consider a couple planning to bring a child into the world. The pregnancy goes well, and the birth is smooth. A perfect baby is born — exactly as they had hoped and dreamed. Can you imagine this couple abandoning their baby, leaving the hospital in anger, and never taking an interest in what happens to the child?

If we assume this is a healthy, loving couple — emotionally sound, and deeply desiring this child, the scenario of abandonment is unthinkable.

God declares His great love for each of us:

• “You are children of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1)

• “The Lord set His affection on you and chose you… because the Lord loves you” (Deuteronomy 7:7–8)

• “Because the Lord your God loves you” (Deuteronomy 23:6)

The Creator made the world and humanity in order to bestow eternal goodness upon the souls He created. Everything that happens in creation is orchestrated by Him to lead us to that eternal benefit. Abandoning humanity to random chance would contradict the very purpose of creating mankind. God created the universe with intention, and forsaking it would prevent it from reaching its goal.

God’s Guidance and Purpose

God did not leave us to live in mystery, unsure of the way, but revealed the path toward that eternal goodness in the Torah, as we see in many verses:

• “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you… but to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes, which I command you today — for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:12–13)

• “Observe and heed all these words which I command you, that it may be well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 12:28)

If God wanted humanity to reach a specific purpose, and if He desires us reaching that goal out of love for us, leaving us to random, accidental events would go against that very desire.

Because of His love for us, God wants us to arrive at our destination, for our benefit. To this end, He watches over us and guides us toward it, often through hidden providence. Sometimes a person born with a quick temper, who needs to work on overcoming it, will face challenging people or situations designed to help refine that trait. Sometimes someone far from Torah and mitzvot will experience life events that awaken them to reflect on the purpose of life.

Often, the very obstacles that enter our lives are the only things that can move us from our habitual state and set us on the right path.

Special Divine Providence

God governs the world, and everything happens under His supervision. There is a form of closer, more personal providence that not all beings merit. This special supervision is granted only to those who genuinely wish to live a life of self-refinement and alignment with God’s will.

When a person lives with the goal God set for humanity, the Almighty grants them the ability to reach that goal, by guiding them personally and directly toward it through unique, individualized providence.