The Lord our God said,
"My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." There can be
no question about it, that which pleases the Lord will be done, that which he
has purposed shall be accomplished. He knows all things, because he has
purposed all things and controls all things. Neither the demons of hell nor the
free-will of wicked men can thwart the purpose of Almighty God.
As this is true regarding the world at large, it is
certainly true regarding God's special purpose of grace for his chosen people.
The Lord said, "I WILL be their God, and THEY SHALL be my
people." Nothing is left to chance. Where there is DIVINE ELECTION, there
will be an EFFECTUAL CALL. Where there is a REDEMPTIVE WORK accomplished by
Christ, there will be a REDEEMED PEOPLE. Where there is an IRRESISTIBLE CALL
issued by the Holy Spirit, there will be a BELIEVING RESPONSE in the heart.
Our God will not be disappointed or defeated in
anything that he has willed or decreed. He will do all his pleasure. His
counsel shall stand. The Lord Jesus Christ will not lose one of that multitude
for whom he died. He shall be satisfied. The Holy Spirit will not fail to save
one of those whom he calls. His gifts and callings are without repentance. The
sheep must willingly come to the Shepherd: but ALL THE SHEEP MUST COME! He has
ordained it. "THY PEOPLE SHALL BE WILLING IN THE DAY OF THY POWER."
Many seem to think that a revival, a visitation from
God, would bring about the conversion of entire communities, towns, and cities.
But it is not so. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost did not
convert