“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” - Ephesians 1:11

    God’s eternal purpose in all things, His plan, we call predestination and His working or execution of His plan, which is after the counsel of His own will, we call providence. God has ordained and ordered all things that come to pass in time according to His own will and good pleasure and everything is for His glory. Nothing happens in our life that is outside the will of God, not even a hair falling.

    I am sure we have doubted this at times, maybe in circumstances in times past, perhaps for some it is now in their circumstances and yet this is what the Scripture tells us. There is nothing more comforting to us in every circumstance than to embrace the Truth of the predestinating will of God with all our heart and to rest in His sovereign, unalterable purpose and His Divine providence, which brings it to pass. We cannot thwart the plan of God. 

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the LORD directeth his steps”

Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD”

Isaiah 46:9-11 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 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: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it”

Romans 11:33-36 "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?”

    We rest! We can only have true rest in Christ Jesus so as I sang this song online out of the Trinity Hymnal this morning I was reminded and comforted by the witness of the Spirit in my heart. The witness that points me to Christ always, the witness with my spirit that I am a child of God. I pray that you have the same witness in your heart.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
Holy his will abideth;
I will be still whate'er he doth;
And follow where he guideth:
He is my God: though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me:
I take, content, what he hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait his day.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking:
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate'er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken;
My Father's care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to him I leave it all.