Are we fooling ourselves and thinking in a childish way when we see in providence evidence of God’s attitude to us as individuals? Are we putting ourselves at the centre of our little world and imaging that everything exists for us? How can weather systems and natural disasters which affect so many at the same time have anything to do with individuals or indicate God’s feelings towards us as individuals? And yet Scripture is quite clear on this subject: although God judges whole nations and brings famine and drought on large regions, he also deals with individuals. His providence is so fine grained that it can do both at the same time. He is not forced to do one or the other, but can easily make exceptions when he wishes to and exclude a few from what affects many. So Naaman only was healed (2 Kings 5:14) when in fact there were many lepers in the time of Elisha the prophet (Luke 4:27). God made a difference between Israel and the Egyptians in the final plagues that he sent to judge Pharaoh (Exodus 10:22-23). And Lot was delivered when there were less than ten righteous in Sodom, while the rest of the people of the city were destroyed. The Lord therefore knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation even when they are surrounded by the wicked (2 Peter 2:9). Therefore it is always right for the individual to look to God for help however dire his circumstance, and it is right to see in providences that affect us for good the gracious kindness of God towards us. He works his manifold purposes.