God’s Decreed Will

By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

God is at the helm of His creation. Not fate, not chance, not some impersonal force of nature but the Lord alone is in full command of your life.

He is the sovereign ruler of the universe, and His decrees govern what happens in His world.

God’s decrees are:

Absolute
Unchangeable
Unconditional
In complete harmony with his plan and His nature

This fourth point is particularly comforting during rough seas. God’s actions are never out of sync with His character. The currents that move the tides of time and history (including the events of your life and mine) flow from the depths of God’s holiness, justice, and goodness.

Aren’t you glad that the course of your life is not wagered on the random click of a cosmic roulette wheel?

I certainly am! I don’t think I’d bother getting out of bed in the morning if I wasn’t completely convinced that a holy, loving, and all-powerful God is in charge.

You can be convinced of this truth too. You can move through your day with peace that, as Paul reassured the Roman Christians,

We know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

God’s Good Hand

Satan may try to use the losses, failures, and tragedies to destroy you, but God always has the last word. Always! God has set your course, and you can rest in His plan (Psalm 139:16).

If you’re not convinced of God’s good hand at the helm even in tragedies, consider the death of our Savior. From all appearances, the captains of His fate were His enemies, but as Peter points out, God never relinquished His command:

Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. (Acts 2:22–23 NASB, emphasis added)

Unbelieving men nailed Jesus to His cross “by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.”

Jesus’ final words from the cross before He died were, “It is finished.” God’s decreed plan had been completed—Jesus’ payment for our sin. But that’s not all to His plan!

God raised Him up from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. (Acts 2:24 NASB)

That’s exactly what will happen beyond our death. God will raise us up by His grace, putting an end forever to the agony of death, since we cannot be held by its power (1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14).

God has decreed it so.

That’s a wonderful thought to claim at the next graveside service you officiate, isn’t it?

About the author

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.

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