PSALM 33:10-22 The One Unchangeable Plan
PSALM 33:10-22
"The counsel of the LORD stands forever."
The world can be a scary place. There are powers and forces bigger than we, and many of them have little respect for Jesus Christ or for what the Bible teaches. In some countries, whole governments actively persecute Christians and do their best to stamp out churches and public worship. In the Western world there is thankfully still much freedom but there, too, governments are striking down laws that were in line with God's word and promoting the opposite: tolerance of abortion, divorce, and even encouragement of homosexuality and self-chosen gender identification.
What can the few Christians do against rulers who are bent on wiping out the influence of Christ in their land? How can churches combat the hostile forces of governments, police, and courtrooms? Looking at the human race? Take a deep breath. God is in control. He is sovereign. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the One Unchangeable Plan.
But Psalm 33 calls us to look up, beyond mankind, to our loving covenant God, "who brings the counsel of the nations to nothing" (v. 10). Ruling from heaven above, the LORD who created this world with his powerful word retains complete control over all his handiwork—including individual humans, governments, and countries. Even more than that, God has a plan, called here his "counsel," and this plan "stands forever" (v. 11). Nations cannot frustrate the plan. In fact, our mighty God uses kings and their armies to further his plan, like pieces on a chess board—and most of the time they don't even know it!
What is the LORD's plan? It is to deliver his people from death (v. 18), eternal death, and preserve them alive with himself in a world where there will be no sin, no shame, or any sorrow (Rev. 21:4). Remember Jesus, whom the Father sent to bring this about. A king wanted to murder him as a baby. Rulers wanted to kill him as an adult. Jewish and Gentile leaders conspired in their courtrooms to have him crucified, yet for all of that the Father's counsel stood firm! God used the nations' very own wicked plans to take his plan a giant step forward, giving Jesus over to death in order to save us. His resurrection and ascension prove that our God is in the driver's seat. There's no need to get depressed or be in a panic. Our God reigns. Even more, our Saviour Jesus Christ rules supreme and his counsel stands forever.
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