No matter how hard we try, whether we deliberately rebel against God or unintentionally do something that doesn’t align with His will, we cannot prevent God’s purposes and plans from being fulfilled.
- Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
- Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’
- Acts 5:38-39 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
God’s purposes and plans are elevated above man’s decisions and intentions.
- Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Here are two examples of God’s sovereign plan being fulfilled despite man’s shortcomings.
King David’s Sin
Despite David committing adultery and murder, and the personal anguish associated with this sin, God’s promise to him was fulfilled – David had a son named Solomon and a descendent named Jesus.
God’s Covenant with David
- 2 Samuel 7:12-13 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
David’s Sin
- 2 Samuel 11:4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.
- 2 Samuel 11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.”
Consequences of David’s Sin
- 2 Samuel 12:10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’
- 2 Samuel 12:19 When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?”
God’s Plans Fulfilled
Short-term Fulfillment – Solomon
- 2 Samuel 12:24 Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him,
- 1 Kings 1:34 There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
- Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
- Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
The Apostle Peter’s Denial
Despite Peter’s lies about not being a follower of Christ, and the personal anguish associated with his denial, Christ’s call for him to follow was accomplished – Peter’s relationship with Christ was reconciled, he faithfully followed Jesus as a leader in the early church and he was martyred for the name of Christ.
Jesus’ Challenge to Peter
- Mark 1:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Peter’s Sin
Predicted
- Mark 14:30 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
- Mark 14:71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
Consequences of Peter’s Sin
- Mark 14:72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
God’s plan fulfilled
- John 21:19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Even through our mistakes:
God’s purposes and plans are accomplished
- Joshua 21:43 So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.
- Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
- Isaiah 63:7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord And the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Prayer
Faithful Heavenly Father, Your Word contains so many examples of how Your purposes and plans are fulfilled despite the shortcomings of Your children. Please help us accept and trust Your sovereignty. Please alleviate our anguish and help us accept and acknowledge the forgiveness and love of Jesus Christ. Your purposes and plans depend on Your character and power, not us. Praise to You for Your perfection and mercy. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
