From the Pastor: The Lord’s Purpose Prevails — What A Relief!

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. –Proverbs 19:21

What a relief!

We live on God’s earth. We aren’t limited to or trapped by the self-serving schemes cooked up by others. Too often, we grow jaded or discouraged watching people dream up get-rich-quick schemes, manipulating others for their personal gain. They plan to lavish themselves with luxury and pleasure with little regard for those who will suffer because of their selfish desire for success. We tend to take these courses of actions for granted, questioning God about the “injustice of it all,” and despairing that evil will be punished.

Yet, the Bible encourages us, “it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Selfish schemes may succeed for a time, but there will come a day when they will fade into oblivion, and the higher purpose of God will be established. Happily, God’s justice will occur not only at the end of history but, in the language of King David, in the “land of the living”—the here and now.

In these few words, we find an enormous amount of security. This is true when our own personal plans (even very good ones) give way to the greater plans of God (for our benefit).  And it’s also true for those who suffer under unfairness, tyrannies, or betrayals and who wonder if they will ever see justice or goodness. They, too, can have real hope that one day shafts of light from the kingdom of God will break through and God himself will set things right-side-up and give them a taste of what is to come—permanently.

It’s only the assurance that God’s “purpose will prevail” that keeps us going when there appears to be no way out and no end in sight and no relief from bias. Let us keep our eyes on God and know that no matter what injustice or disorder we are facing today, he sees it. In his perfect timing, and in his perfect way, he will put an end to it and bring restoration and his joy into our lives.