Predestined
I am in awe at God’s involvement in our lives. That the God who created this universe would be so mindful of us will never cease to amaze me. What is man that He would take such interest in us? What does He see that captivates His attention?
He knows my every thought … before I think it. He knows my every decision … before I make it.
He knows my destiny … before I reach it. All my days were planned before there was even one of them.
Even the seemingly insignificant events - when I sit and when I rise - are the focus of His attention. I don’t think Jesus exaggerated … but he must have come close when He said that the Father keeps count of my hair! - can that really be? I’m the apple of His eye, the object of His interest.
God, you thought of me, planned me, designed me and skilfully wove me together
You planned my days, shaped my environment, orchestrated every event and created every opportunity
and now you skillfully guide me to walk in the good works which You have prepared.
You continue your work within me, as you inspire my desires and influence my will
to do your good pleasure and confirm what you predestined.
It’s difficult to articulate such intimacy. In fact, David wrote in Ps 139 that such knowledge is simply too lofty to grasp.
The concept of God’s initiative and our personal freedom has made a profound impact on me. There have been decisions I made … or thought I made, which in hindsight were actually God orchestrating a series of events that lead me to specific conclusions. Jesus’ disciples made very difficult yet determined decisions to follow Him. At times they were persecuted for this decision. It was a decision that they had to re-affirm a number of times. When one pays such a high price for a decision, one can become very proud and defensive of its value. They must have been shocked when Jesus spoke to them and said: “You did not choose me, but I chose you. At first I don’t think they even heard the last part of that sentence; all they heard was: “You did not choose me”. I can just imagine what some of them thought:
What does He mean “You did not choose me”! I gave up my fishing business; I lost some dear friends …etc. because I chose to follow Him. And now He has the audacity to tell me that I did not choose Him.
…but as the years passed, the second part of that sentence became the greatest assurance and source of unflinching confidence, as they began to understand the depth of the wisdom and skill of God to orchestrate all things.
It is comparatively easy to argue that God organises events in such a way to lead us to make right decision. But what involvement does He have with us when we miss the mark - make wrong decisions?
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me. Ps 139:7-11
David speaks of a situation in which he is fleeing from God’s presence; avoiding His Spirit. Even in this place of rebellion, he still sees the hand of God leading him! Obviously God does not delight in us missing the mark; He does not lead us to do wrong. He provides a space in which we can make our own decisions. A master chess player does not manipulate the will of his opponent. Each player is able to make their own free choices, yet the master arranges the pieces in such a way as to leave but one conclusion. In a similar way, our Father has provided a space in which we are free to make our own decisions, but He is the mastermind behind every move drawing us closer to His ultimate purpose. I have often been unaware of His activity, only to see it at a later stage when the distance of time gave me the necessary perspective. It is this confidence that I carry not only for myself, but for every person; for all humanity. God has created a space in which we are free to make our own choices, but the conclusion is inevitable.
The example of the chess game is relevant when thinking of Gods interaction with us when we appose Him, but when we come to the place of seeking His will in all things, the relationship changes drastically. We move from being opponents to being co-workers - my will is no longer just my own. I am so grateful that “… it is God that is at work within you(me) both to will and to do His good pleasure …” Phil 2:13 My will is no longer an independent force in which God has no influence. He is actively busy influencing my desires, inspiring my will, and strengthening my decisions.
This is an interesting take on “free will”. Andre, I have been reading your blog for over three years now. Could you please tell me your belief about Old Testament scripture and the books of the NT. I don’t expect a long response. Just a brief word about the WORD of God and how it relates to the Bible. Thank you so much.