God's Designs

Merry Christmas!

Last year for an Advent devotion I read through the book of Isaiah. This morning, December 24th, 2020, I found myself thinking on one of those passages.

8 “Remember this and stand firm,
    recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9     remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east,
    the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
    I have purposed, and I will do it.

Isaiah 46:8-11

In this passage, which is probably pretty familiar, we hear about God’s designs, his counsels. Through the prophet Isaiah we’re told that all of God’s designs will come to pass.

There are many things we could say this about. In fact, from the Scripture, I think we can say it about all things. We’re told to recall it, remember it, and stand firm in it. We see a glimpse of who God is. He is the author and finisher. He is the I am. He has declared it from the beginning. He will bring it to pass.

I firmly believe that this passage applies to all the details of life, all the small things, the seemingly insignificant things. All that we go through, all that we see happening around us right now, are part of His sovereign plan. He has purposed it. This brings comfort. It means nothing can catch God off guard.

It therefore also applies to all the major things of life. Kings, rulers, presidents, nations, elections, and global pandemics are all part of this. You may be wondering when Christmas will come into play with this blog. Well, right now. In Luke 2 (King James Version of the Bible), where we find the account of Jesus’ birth, it begins with “And it came to pass…”. In verse 11 of Isaiah 46 God says through Isaiah, “I will bring it to pass.”

The greatest design God had, the great plan, was for Jesus to atone for our sins. The Gospel is the Good News of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 2 is just the beginning of those events, because that’s what Jesus came for, to die. Luke and Isaiah tell us these and all events are according to God’s plan. It would be accomplished.

13 I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory.”

In verse 13 of Isaiah 46 we see what would be accomplished would be our salvation. We see that it’s His righteousness and that He is the savior. We also see that the purpose was ultimately for God’s glory.

Rejoice this Christmas because God’s purposes cannot be stopped. If you are a believer in Christ, your sins are forgiven for the Glory of God. His righteousness has come near because it’s the righteousness of Christ that has been imparted to you.

It has come to pass.