HIS OWN WILL

HIS OWN WILL

To hear some Bible expositors, one could begin to wonder who is "running the show", as the saying goes. So many leaders are mustering all the support possible for the particular project which has captured their attention at the time. They each want us to drop everything else and run to their support. Each is fighting some supposed enemy, which will destroy humanity if left unchecked. Each of them believes that they are the one whom God has designated to thwart the attacks of the "enemy", and THEY MUST HAVE OUR HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Personally, I doubt the validity of most, if not all, of such claims. I fail to comprehend that the world is "going to hell in a hand basket" if we fail to rally around some "cause" to keep the earth in orbit.

A few mornings ago, I wakened with a portion of scripture running through my mind which sort of "boxed my compass" and reaffirmed in my mind that God is now, and always has been, in complete control of the affairs of mankind. The portion of scripture was:

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL:

I guess I should have started importing scripture with verse 9, for Paul begins to write about the purpose of God in all that He has done in the past, is doing now, and will do in the future.

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his GOOD PLEASURE WHICH HE HATH PURPOSED IN HIMSELF: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:

It gives me great comfort to realize that whatever God has purposed, God will perform. He doesn't need any help. IT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED. IT WILL BE COMPLETELY ON SCHEDULE.

Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND, and I will DO ALL MY PLEASURE:

Proverbs 19:21 [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Psalms 33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices (plans, schemes, efforts) of the people of none effect. The COUNSEL OF THE LORD STANDETH FOR EVER, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Listen to the advice Gamaliel gave to the Leaders in Israel when they were discussing ways to stop the preaching of the early Apostles.

Acts 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: BUT IF IT BE OF GOD, YE CANNOT OVERTHROW IT; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Who helped the Lord bring Jesus Christ on the scene at precisely the right day? HE DID IT BY HIMSELF. Was the world ready for Him to arrive? Did they "have the stage set" for Him by their extensive preparation? You know the answer.

Who "helped" God take the children of Israel out of Egypt on the night of that first Passover? NO ONE!

From whom did He seek permission to pour out of His Spirit upon the believers on the Day of Pentecost? NO ONE!

Will He ask for, or need, our help or permission to do the "Quick work" which He has promised to do in the near future? HE WILL DO IT HIMSELF!

I am sure He will be able to get the job done-- with or without any help or permission from either you or me.

That's the sort of God we are dealing with.