“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” | Isaiah 40: 9

The God of the Bible, that great God with whom we have to do, is a God of will, purpose and determination, and His will is never thwarted.

“He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4: 35)

“He is of one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth”.

“But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.” (Job 23: 13)

He declares, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46: 9-10)

“He worketh ALL THINGS after the counsel of his own will”.

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” (Ephesians 1: 11)

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are ALL THINGS”.

“Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?” (Romans 11: 35)

Whatsoever comes to pass in the whole creation is under God’s rule and dominion.

Whether something comes to pass by Divine, efficient cause or by Divine permission, it is under God’s control and a part of His overall will and purpose; and, “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world”.

“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (Acts 15: 18)

God is so sovereign and wise in His rule over all things, in His mysterious providence, that His people bow down in awe, wonder and admiration.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 45: 4-8)

All of the “misfortunes” in the life of Joseph were under the rule of this great God, to fulfill His wise and loving purpose of covenant grace.

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50: 20)

All of the terrible “catastrophes” in the life of Job (1:20); and every hand that moved against the darling of His heart, His only begotten Son, were under His rule and control.

“Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” (John 19: 11)

No wonder the apostle Paul could write, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8: 28)

What safety and security, peace and rest it is to be in His loving, almighty hands.

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” (Acts 2: 23)

And take it to heart, believers, those things which befall you in this life come not only from the almighty hand of God, but from the infinite heart of God, your infinitely wise and loving Father.

“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” (Acts 4: 23-28)

Now read Psalm 23 – The LORD is my shepherd – The LORD is MY shepherd – what peace these words should bring to our hearts.

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “A Covenant of Peace With Them” (27:17 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 July, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a