Greetings in the name of our unstoppable God. The world has
stopped. We have stopped in many ways. The work and plans of God have not
stopped - and cannot be stopped.
Remember His use of Cyrus, and His purpose of declaring
Himself and His unique power to the world? God continues that theme throughout
the book of Isaiah. We find it again in chapter 46.
"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" (Isaiah 46:9-11).
God's focus in these verses is His plans. The plans of
people sure have been interrupted. We have seen like never before how man
cannot make his own plans happen. Man can't keep his plans for international
travel, for services and activities, and even for trips to the store! So many
plans have been disrupted: conferences, weddings, vacations, gatherings,
graduations, sporting events, etc.
Do you realize that not one plan of God has ever been
stopped? Not one! In these verses God reveals something truly amazing about
that. The plans that are most likely to happen are ones that we make very close
in time to when they are supposed to occur. This allows less possibility that
something will be able to stop them. But God! God can make plans from the
beginning of time, before the world even existed, and even after thousands of
years, nothing can stop His plans from being fulfilled!
We don't know what will happen next month, next week, or
even tomorrow - about the most basic things in life. Will we be able to have
church? Will we be able to visit that person? Will we be able to purchase the
things we need? Will we be able to take that trip?
But God! God knows with absolute certainty every detail and
every event. He knows all about the things that have not yet happened. He knows
the end of everything before we even know the beginning!
This is more than just omniscience. It is also omnipotence.
God knows the end of all things, because He is making those ends happen. His
counsels will stand. He will do all His pleasure. He will cause people to
perform His bidding. What He has spoken will come to pass, and what He has
purposed, He will do.
God has infinitely more power and control over things than
we do. So when we feel helpless, God is not restricted. When we feel unable to
control, God has perfect control. When we feel powerless, God has all power.
God knows everything that will happen. God knows His designs, and nothing can
stop Him. What a comfort to rest in the One who always does everything that He
determines to do, regardless of the obstacles.
"I don't know about tomorrow;/ I just live from day to
day./ I don't borrow from its sunshine,/ For its skies may turn to grey./ I
don't worry o'er the future,/ For I know what Jesus said;/ And today I'll walk
beside Him,/ For He knows what is ahead.
Every step is getting brighter/ As the golden stairs I
climb;/ Every burden's getting lighter,/ Every cloud is silver-lined./ There
the sun is always shining,/ There no tear will dim the eye;/ At the ending of
the rainbow/ Where the mountains touch the sky.
I don't know about tomorrow,/ It may bring me poverty./ But
the One who feeds the sparrow/ Is the One who stands by me./ And the path that
is my portion/ May be through the flame or flood;/ But His presence goes before
me,/ And I'm covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow/ I don't seem to understand;/ But
I know Who holds tomorrow,/ And I know who holds my hand." (Ira Stanphill)
May you walk at peace this week, trusting the One who will
accomplish all His plans.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment