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To form a plan and then to alter it, or to have a fixed plan and to fail in it, is one of the many sad imperfections of humanity. In the first ease, some new light springs up which was not evident before. In the second some difficulty arises, which, as a mountain, hinders the carrying out of the plan. But who can suppose any of this in God — a Being of Infinite Power? (Isaiah 40:15-17.) With Him there is no difficulty. He is a Being of Infinite wisdom. Nothing escapes Him. The past, the present, the future are an everlasting now. Unchanged are His resolves, as His nature is unchangeable (Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 19:21; Proverbs 21:30; Acts 5:39; Hebrews 6:17).

I. THE DECLARATION.

1. We see this exemplified in the works of nature. Such is the regularity of all that the Great Mechanist is too usually lost sight of in the very machinery of His hands, as if it worked by its own power, regulated itself.

2. Still more distinctly do we see this declaration in the works of Providence. Wheel runs within wheel, but He is in every wheel, whatever its direction, whatever its movement. He is directly or indirectly in it. Look at Cyrus. Look at the history of Joseph. Look at Jesus Himself. (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:18; Acts 4:26-28.)

3. But if He does all His pleasure in His works of. creation and providence, how much more in the greater, infinitely greater displays of Himself in His grace, which is His glory! (2 Timothy 1:9.)

II. THE GROUND OF SUCH DECLARATION. "I will do all My pleasure." It is His own work. True, He works by means, and most commonly by human instrumentality. But it is in all respects His own work.

1. The subject has an awful look upon any who have been trifling. "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure. Look at the fall. Look at the sin and sinfulness of this polluted world. These are but a fearful comment on "My counsel shall stand." "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin." Look at the flood. Look at Babylon. Look at Jerusalem.

2. The subject is most encouraging to every returning sinner.

3. This is most consolatory to the tried saint.

4. Beware of any abuse of this great and glorious truth. If God's counsel standeth fast, and He does all His pleasure, it is that God who delights in human instrumentality.

(J. H. Evans, M. A.)

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KJV: 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:

WEB: declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;