In him, we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11)
The Word of God says, God “works all things according to the counsel of his will”. The phrase “All things” includes a great many things; in fact, it includes…all things. We might ask, what kinds of things does God work according to the counsel of His will? Or, we might ask, is this particular thing or that particular thing included in “all things”?
Here are some examples of things that God works according to the counsel of His will:
The slaughter of his people
You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations (Psalm 44:11)
The decisions of kings
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will (Proverbs 21:1)
The failing of, speech, hearing and sight
Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? (Exodus 4:11)
The sickness of children
Then Nathan went to his house. And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick (2 Samuel 12:15)
The loss and gain of money
The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts (1 Samuel 2:7),
The suffering of saints
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good (1 Peter 4:19)
The completion of plans
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15)
The persecution of Christians
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is fordiscipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom hisfather does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:4-7)
The gift of repentance
God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25),
The gift of faith
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29)
The sanctification of believers
Let us … go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God … And this we will do if God permits (Hebrews 6:1,3)
The giving of life and the taking in death
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I woundand I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand (Deut 32:39)
And the crucifixion of His Son
Truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place (Acts 4:27-28)
-Brainiac (www.wretchedradio.com)
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