GOD'S PLAN IS ETERNAL

1.  Definition

   All the characteristics of God's plan emanate from some attribute of God. God's plan is wise because God is omniscient. So, God's plan is eternal because God is eternal.

2.  Documentation:

Ephesians 3:11

According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord

3.  Meditation

   All our problems occur in time. It happened yesterday, or today, or maybe tomorrow. Yet, God has known about this eternally. Now, maybe you fail the Lord. You shock yourself. You shock your friends. However, you cannot shock God. He is never surprised. He has known about this failure eternally. This is incredible! I stand in awe of God when I begin to ponder these things. God loves me eternally. When did He love me? The Scripture says, "Before the foundation of the world. "In the eternal past, He knew all about me and loved me.

   Every day of our lives, we have some need. It might be shelter, food, clothing, security, protection, health, or a job. Since God's plan is eternal, God knew your needs in eternity's past. One day, you go to work and get laid off or fired. This is a totally unexpected event. You now need a job. What do you do? One of the first things you do is to pray, "Father, I just got fired, and I need a job!" Or we pray, "Lord, what will I do?" We wring our hands as we pray. Of course not, we are faith-resting it. "Father, I believe you are in this problem and are working all things together for my good." Father, I know that you hate laziness, and to work is what is expected, so I trust you to help me find the job of your choice." The problem was known in eternity past, and the provision was provided as well. We receive our provisions in time, but they were allocated in the eternal past.

4.  The Drill: Discipline yourself to godliness

1st:  Claiming the promises

   In a time of trouble, I turn to God. I bring Him into the picture by claiming the promise in Romans 8:28. From that promise, I recognize that God is at work. God has a plan, and all the problems in my life are related to that plan. God is in the trouble I am experiencing.

2nd: Concentrating on the rationale

   Because God is Eternal, when I need Him, He is always there. 

  God isn't needy.  Paul says about God with the Athenians, "Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything" Acts 17:25.

   His plan exists at all times.

   What do I know about God's plan? God's plan is eternal. He has always known my circumstances and needs.  All my provisions were provided for me in eternity. 

Proverbs 10:25 

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.