The Godhood of God # 5

The Godhood of God # 5

The God of Scripture has a will that is irresistible. Man talks and boasts of his will, but God also has a will!

Men had a will on the plains of Shinar and undertook to build a tower whose top should reach unto Heaven - but what came of it? God had a will, also, and their willful effort came to naught.

Pharaoh had a will when he hardened his heart and refused to allow Jehovah's people to go into the wilderness to worship Him, but what came of it? God had a will, too, and being Almighty, His will was performed.

Balak had a will when he hired Balaam to come and curse the Hebrews - but of what avail was it?

The Canaanites had a will when they determined to prevent Israel occupying the promised land - but how far did they succeed?

Saul had a will when he hurled his javelin at David, but instead of slaying the Lord's anointed, it entered the wall instead.

Jonah had a will when he refused to go and preach to the Ninevites - but what came of it?

Nebuchadnezzar had a will when he thought to destroy the three Hebrews - but God had a will too, and so the fire did not harm them.

Herod had a will when he purposed to slay the Child Jesus, and had there been no living and reigning God, his evil desires had been effected. But in daring to pit his puny will against the irresistible will of the Almighty, his efforts came to naught.

Yes, my reader, and you had a will when you formed your plans without first seeking counsel of the Lord, and therefore He overthrew them.

As well might a worm seek to resist the tread of an elephant; as well might a babe step between the railroad tracks and attempt to push back the on-rushing train; as well might a child seek to prevent the ocean from rolling - as for a creature to try to resist the outworking of the purpose of the Lord God!

The God of Scripture is absolute Sovereign. Such is His own claim: "This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:26, 27).

The Sovereignty of God is absolute and irresistible: "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing! He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?" (Daniel 4:35).

The Sovereignty of God is true not only hypothetically, but in fact. That is to say, God exercises His sovereignty, exercises it both in the natural realm, and in the spiritual.

One is born black - another white. One is born in wealth - another in poverty. One is born with a healthy body - another sickly and crippled. One is cut off in childhood - another lives to old age. One is endowed with five talents - another with but one. And in all these cases it is God the Creator who makes one to differ from another, and "none can stay His hand."

So also is the spiritual realm. One is born in a pious home and is brought up in the fear and abomination of the Lord - another is born of criminal parents and is reared in vice. One is the object of many prayers - the other is not prayed for at all. One hears the Gospel from early childhood - another never hears it at all. One sits under a Scriptural ministry - another hears nothing but error and heresy. Of those who do hear the Gospel, one has his heart opened by the Lord to receive the truth - while another is left to himself. One is "ordained to eternal life" (Acts 13:48) - while another is "ordained to condemnation" (Jude 4). To whom He will God shows mercy - and whom He wills He "hardens". (Romans 9:18).

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 6)