GOD'S PLAN IS ONE
1. Definition
When we talk about the Plan of God, we are talking about one plan. I am using one in a numerical sense. God reveals that He has had one plan since the beginning of time, covering everything past, present, and future. This plan is based upon the omniscience of God. God knows all things perfectly and fully. He sees everything at once in its totality. God saw all of time in a glance. He progressively unfolded His plan, but it was not progressively formulated.
2. Documentation
This characteristic is supported by the fact that the nouns describing God's plan are always in the singular number.
Ephesians 1:11
"also We have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose (singular) who works all things after the counsel of His will" (singular).
Ephesians 3:11
"This was in accordance with the eternal purpose (singular) which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Psalm 2:7
"I will surely tell of the decree (singular) of the Lord (God the Father): He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee."
Isaiah 46:10
"Declaring (this means to decree) the end from the beginning and from ancient times (eternal life conference) the things which have not been done (the plan of God embraces the future, Saying, 'My purpose (singular) will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';
When the Scripture speaks about the will of God, the purpose of God, the decree of God, or the pre-determined plan of God, the singular number is used. There is one plan. We see the plan of God in parts, and He reveals it to us in stages, but the entire Plan was decreed all at once.
For example, in Genesis three, we have the fall of man. God was dealing with humanity on the basis of love, but when Adam and Eve fell, God's plan changed. He began to deal with them based on grace. In grace, God provided a way of salvation for Adam and Eve. Then we have the promise of the coming of the Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). Here is the point. God's plan changed. When did God plan for a Redeemer? Was the provision made when Adam fell or at some other time?
3. Meditation:
God is not confused about what is happening or what will occur next.
God's plan was designed in the eternal past to include all events and actions related to their cause and effect and conditions, gathering everything into one indivisible plan.
God has one all-inclusive and all-embracing plan. He sees all things in a single glance. God anticipated everything in the planning that occurred at one time, that is, at one sitting.
Because we are finite, we view the plan of God in terms of parts, but it should never be implied that God is still planning or will need to further plan at some point.
Concerning the parts we see, we recognize by faith that all the parts fit perfectly together, Romans 8:28. There is nothing left out of the plan; there will be nothing added to the plan, refigured, crossed out, juggled, prepared again. The plan is complete, perfectly organized, and arranged, each link being a part of the integrity of the whole.
Because of this, there is no confusion in the plan of God. Everything has a distinct and related purpose. Here is a second meditation. Life is not absurd.
Life has meaning, definition, and purpose. God sovereignty sustains and guides human affairs to their pre-determined ends that He has foreordained. There is a good reason for all events. Things just don't happen. There are no accidents or coincidences. Life has meaning. There is design. This is not always apparent, so we must walk by faith to not dishonor God. We believe things are the way they are because they are in God's plan that way.
4. The Drill: Discipline yourself to Godliness
Trouble has a way of unsettling us. Life, at times, looks out of control. Sometimes, I find myself confused and perplexed. If so, take these actions:
1st: By Claiming The Promises
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 this confusion in my life and circumstances relates to that plan.
2nd: By Concentrating On The Rationale
What do I know about the plan of God? It is one plan, perfectly organized and arranged. Instead of being confused, I start thinking by faith that this mess arrived right on schedule.
Illustration
The Apostle Paul is an individual who holds the bragging rights on personal pain in the service of the Lord. Here is someone who, at every turn, faced the extremes of life. His dedicated-to-Christ life was lived under constant threat. What did he suffer?
2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, (1st) beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
2 Corinthians 11:24
(2nd) Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
2 Corinthians 11:25
(3rd) Three times I was beaten with rods, (4th) once I was stoned, (5th) three times I was shipwrecked (a Titanic experience), a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
How about life-threatening circumstances:
2 Corinthians 11:26
I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
2 Corinthians 11:27
I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
2 Corinthians 11:28
Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:29
Who is Weak without my being Weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
What was Paul's attitude? What did he think about all this?
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are afflicted in every way, BUT NOT CRUSHED, perplexed, BUT NOT DESPAIRING;
2 Corinthians 4:9
persecuted, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; struck down, BUT NOT DESTROYED;
There is a beautiful realism found in these words. Paul says I have had problems. It has been challenging. "We are troubled on every side... ". Problems everywhere! What was his attitude? "Yet not distressed...". These problems aren't tearing us apart. "We are perplexed...(puzzled or confused) but not in despair (did not give up).” Paul understood the purpose of the difficulties he faced. What is the good purpose of trouble in our lives? Romans 8:29 "...to conform us into the image of His Son."
2 Corinthians 4:10
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested (might be seen) in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:11
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So that Jesus might be seen.
Faith sees what the eye cannot see. Faith understands what the mind cannot comprehend. When you know the planner, you know everything is going right and will turn out right. When nothing makes sense, stop your thinking right there. Start thinking about how this makes perfect sense to God. When you start thinking, this is crazy. Stop your thinking right there and start thinking there is a good reason for this. Start trusting the planner. Father knows best.