1th 05v18 This Is The Will of God

"THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD"

I Thessalonians 5:18

It is the will of God that we who believe, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing." And "in everything give thanks." And I can do so, if in my heart I realize that WHATEVER COMES TO PASS IN TIME IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR ME. Do you see that? Everything that comes to pass in time "is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." If you are a believer, if you are called of God, if you love God, all that ever comes to pass is brought to pass by the hand of God's providence for your spiritual, eternal good. "All things are of God" (II Cor. 5: 18). And "all things are yours", because "ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (I Cor. 3:21-23). THERE IS NOTHING SO SMALL AND COMMON THAT IT ESCAPES GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL RULE. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without your heavenly Father. And "the very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matt. 10:29-30). This is a mighty comfort to the believing heart: God takes notice of and rules the most trivial, insignificant things for us (Prov. 16:33). THERE IS NOTHING SO BAD, BUT THAT THE LORD CAN AND WILL MAKE IT GOOD. Joseph's brethren had an evil design; but God used their evil design for good. Joseph said to them, "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good" (Gen. 50:20). God alone brings the clean out of the unclean. God alone makes bitter things sweet. God alone can turn sorrow into gladness. THERE IS NOTHING WHICH WICKED MEN CAN DO TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD, BUT THAT THE LORD HAS A HAND IN IT AND HIS HAND WILL ALWAYS DO US GOOD.

The Sabeans and the Chaldeans came and took away Job's cattle, his sheep, his oxen, his asses, and his camels, and killed his servants. And Job said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Satan (after getting permission from God) stripped Job of his prosperity and his health. It was Satan's malicious design to destroy Job. But Job said, "The hand of God hath touched me...For the arrows of the Almighty are within me." Satan shot the arrows; but they were God's arrows and they flew at God's direction. Though Shimei cursed David, David heard the voice of God in his words. Whatever comes to pass, let us acknowledge, "THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD."