Dear Friend,
A dear friend of mine introduced me to the phrase, “Aren’t you glad God is in the details?” Well the big question is; how can we know God’s details? This morning’s letter speaks briefly to the “perfect” plan of God. I remember reading of a man who thought he had a fool-proof plan for sneaking into a drive-in movie without paying. He would crawl into the trunk of the car, and his wife would pay only for herself. Once inside the drive-in, she would let him out of the trunk. The plan sounded good, but it failed. The man did crawl into the trunk, and his wife drove into the theater just as they planned. Only when she attempted to release him did they realize the problem with the plan--the husband had the keys to the trunk in his pocket. After firemen cut through the trunk, the man was released, but neither he nor his wife saw the movie. Some plans may sound good, but they do not work. Even if this plan had worked, it could hardly be called good, for the intent was to deceive and enjoy a movie at another’s expense. God’s plan for us is a good plan. The goal for which it was instituted is of the highest good. It is good in a functional sense, because the plan is certain to work, producing the ends for which it was ordained. Ultimately, it is good because it is God’s plan! Scripture makes it abundantly clear that there is a plan. A number of evidences could be used for the existence of God’s plan for His creation, but the most compelling and gripping evidence is that which is recorded in Scripture: Psalm 33:11, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.” Isaiah 14:26-27, “This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” God’s plan was established long before creation. His program for mankind began at creation. When human plans fail, it is often because the planner has overlooked some detail. Something unforeseen arises, and suddenly plans collapse. This is because every detail was not taken into account. God’s plan is all-inclusive. It is based on God’s omniscience (knowing all), so that everything past, present, and future is taken into account. God’s omniscience, as we have seen, includes all things which will actually occur, as well as all things which could possibly occur. Every contingency or possibility is taken into account in God’s plan. God’s plan is for all creation, things in heaven and on earth, things visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities according to Colossians 1:16. God’s plan includes seemingly insignificant details. It excludes “good luck” or coincidences. In Genesis 37:14-17 when Joseph wandered about in a field looking for his brothers, he did not just happen to be found and told where his brothers had gone. The fact that the pit into which Joseph was thrown was empty was no coincidence (37:24). In 37:25-28 the passing caravan, which was headed toward Egypt, was no accident either. The fact that Ruth in Ruth2:3 would “happen” upon the field of Boaz, a near kinsman of Naomi, was not mere chance but a matter of God’s providential control. God’s plan also includes the creation of life, the design, and the destiny of men. It includes the calling of individuals to specific service. The plan has precise timing as well. The Scripture let us know the plan of God is absolutely certain: Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” The assuring truth that God’s plan is certain is because it is God’s plan. This is based on the truth that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, that He is faithful to His promises, and that His glory is at stake. It is also based on the fact that God’s plan is eternal and all-inclusive. God’s plan is partially and progressively being revealed. The plan of God is complete, fully developed, and as good as done, from God’s point of view! Hebrews 4:3, “His works were finished from the foundation of the world.” In its outworking, God’s plan is progressive in yet another way. God’s plan is divided into separate, but related, programs which might be called administrations. Some call them dispensations. Even those who reject dispensationalism admit to one degree or another that there are differences in the way in which God has exercised His rule over men. At each point of change, there are some principles and precepts which remain constant, while other aspects change significantly. God’s plan is a mystery because it is the product of the divine mind of God and not the finite mind of man. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Isaiah 55:6-9, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s plan is not only for His glory, but for the good of “those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.” As children of God we must therefore live by faith, trusting in God’s promises even when present circumstances seem to contradict them. In short, God’s plan for us is all about the establishment of the “Kingdom of God.” Every dispensation or administration found in the Bible concerns God’s rule on earth.God’s plan suggests that we should plan. But His plan is also instructive as to the kind of plans we make. God’s plan seldom explains exactly what God is doing at the moment. Job, for example, was not informed that his trials were a part of a heavenly object lesson to Satan, as well as a faith-strengthening exercise for him. What God’s plan does explain is that God is in control, whatever may be happening at the moment, and that this is being orchestrated by God to produce what is for His glory and our good.
Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, Your word in Isaiah 55:9, says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” And in response to your word I say, “I thank you for being above me and knowing what is best for me.” I search for my purpose and ask for your will to be done. Help me to realize that anything you bring into my life and anything you reveal to me is for my good. Give me a spirit of acceptance and a heart open to your move in my life. Let Your love surround me and cast out any fear or doubts. Help me to live in love with you, accept your will for my life and give me the proper response to Your revelation. In Jesus Name, Amen!
A dear friend of mine introduced me to the phrase, “Aren’t you glad God is in the details?” Well the big question is; how can we know God’s details? This morning’s letter speaks briefly to the “perfect” plan of God. I remember reading of a man who thought he had a fool-proof plan for sneaking into a drive-in movie without paying. He would crawl into the trunk of the car, and his wife would pay only for herself. Once inside the drive-in, she would let him out of the trunk. The plan sounded good, but it failed. The man did crawl into the trunk, and his wife drove into the theater just as they planned. Only when she attempted to release him did they realize the problem with the plan--the husband had the keys to the trunk in his pocket. After firemen cut through the trunk, the man was released, but neither he nor his wife saw the movie. Some plans may sound good, but they do not work. Even if this plan had worked, it could hardly be called good, for the intent was to deceive and enjoy a movie at another’s expense. God’s plan for us is a good plan. The goal for which it was instituted is of the highest good. It is good in a functional sense, because the plan is certain to work, producing the ends for which it was ordained. Ultimately, it is good because it is God’s plan! Scripture makes it abundantly clear that there is a plan. A number of evidences could be used for the existence of God’s plan for His creation, but the most compelling and gripping evidence is that which is recorded in Scripture: Psalm 33:11, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.” Isaiah 14:26-27, “This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” God’s plan was established long before creation. His program for mankind began at creation. When human plans fail, it is often because the planner has overlooked some detail. Something unforeseen arises, and suddenly plans collapse. This is because every detail was not taken into account. God’s plan is all-inclusive. It is based on God’s omniscience (knowing all), so that everything past, present, and future is taken into account. God’s omniscience, as we have seen, includes all things which will actually occur, as well as all things which could possibly occur. Every contingency or possibility is taken into account in God’s plan. God’s plan is for all creation, things in heaven and on earth, things visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities according to Colossians 1:16. God’s plan includes seemingly insignificant details. It excludes “good luck” or coincidences. In Genesis 37:14-17 when Joseph wandered about in a field looking for his brothers, he did not just happen to be found and told where his brothers had gone. The fact that the pit into which Joseph was thrown was empty was no coincidence (37:24). In 37:25-28 the passing caravan, which was headed toward Egypt, was no accident either. The fact that Ruth in Ruth2:3 would “happen” upon the field of Boaz, a near kinsman of Naomi, was not mere chance but a matter of God’s providential control. God’s plan also includes the creation of life, the design, and the destiny of men. It includes the calling of individuals to specific service. The plan has precise timing as well. The Scripture let us know the plan of God is absolutely certain: Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” The assuring truth that God’s plan is certain is because it is God’s plan. This is based on the truth that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, that He is faithful to His promises, and that His glory is at stake. It is also based on the fact that God’s plan is eternal and all-inclusive. God’s plan is partially and progressively being revealed. The plan of God is complete, fully developed, and as good as done, from God’s point of view! Hebrews 4:3, “His works were finished from the foundation of the world.” In its outworking, God’s plan is progressive in yet another way. God’s plan is divided into separate, but related, programs which might be called administrations. Some call them dispensations. Even those who reject dispensationalism admit to one degree or another that there are differences in the way in which God has exercised His rule over men. At each point of change, there are some principles and precepts which remain constant, while other aspects change significantly. God’s plan is a mystery because it is the product of the divine mind of God and not the finite mind of man. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Isaiah 55:6-9, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s plan is not only for His glory, but for the good of “those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.” As children of God we must therefore live by faith, trusting in God’s promises even when present circumstances seem to contradict them. In short, God’s plan for us is all about the establishment of the “Kingdom of God.” Every dispensation or administration found in the Bible concerns God’s rule on earth.God’s plan suggests that we should plan. But His plan is also instructive as to the kind of plans we make. God’s plan seldom explains exactly what God is doing at the moment. Job, for example, was not informed that his trials were a part of a heavenly object lesson to Satan, as well as a faith-strengthening exercise for him. What God’s plan does explain is that God is in control, whatever may be happening at the moment, and that this is being orchestrated by God to produce what is for His glory and our good.
Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, Your word in Isaiah 55:9, says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” And in response to your word I say, “I thank you for being above me and knowing what is best for me.” I search for my purpose and ask for your will to be done. Help me to realize that anything you bring into my life and anything you reveal to me is for my good. Give me a spirit of acceptance and a heart open to your move in my life. Let Your love surround me and cast out any fear or doubts. Help me to live in love with you, accept your will for my life and give me the proper response to Your revelation. In Jesus Name, Amen!
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