All Things

Back in 2001, I was attending a Bible-teaching church. The pastor was preaching through Ephesians. When that fateful Tuesday came, I listened to a week of nothing but horrible news of death and destruction. I was getting ready for church the following Sunday and thinking, "Oh, no ... more of that from the pulpit." And then I realized. "Today he's preaching on Ephesians 1:11. I can't wait!!"

Paul is not vague or obscure.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Eph 1:10-12)

We have, in Christ, an inheritance. It isn't an inheritance based on merit. It's based on "the counsel of His will." There's that "predestined" word and it hinges precisely on God working "all things after the counsel of His will." What does "all things" mean? Do I really need to spell it out? What about that promotion you earned? That's part of "all things." How about that sad death in the family? That's part of "all things." Marital difficulties, wonderful blessings, physical trials, unimaginable peace, it all falls under "all things." It's a sweeping statement. God works all things after the counsel of His will. That's a claim without an exception.

On that Sunday after September 11, that's what I hoped to hear. Yes, it was tragic. Yes, it was painful. But ... be at ease. God works all things after the counsel of His will. Nothing happens that He doesn't allow. In a terrorist attack or in trial and tribulation, in Middle East unrest or in political and economical turmoil, and even in good times, we can say with the psalmist, "Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases" (Psa 115:3) "YHWH is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? YHWH is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psa 27:1)