I want to start this topic with a few concepts to level set our understanding.
1. God is eternal. He is not bound by time or space as we are. “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 46:10
2. Unlike us, God does not think of something and then wonder if He can pull it off. He accomplishes everything He thinks of. “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” Isa 14:24.
3. God always acts in a righteous and perfect way. “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” Psalm 9:8. “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isaiah 11:4-5
As I considered the topic of God’s purpose, I came to realize that God’s purpose is eternal, just as He is eternal. When we look at all that we have given to us in God’s Word, we must come to the conclusion that God’s purpose has always revolved around His Son Jesus. Not just after the creation and fall of humanity, but since before the creation of humanity. Jesus is and always will be at the center of God’s purpose.
We should start by understanding that God’s purpose is unchangeable and cannot be stopped. “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” Isaiah 14:24. “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 46:10.
God is not like us in needing to figure out if His plan is executable or not. He is not moved by things that happen that seem to undermine His plan. He knew them before they happened. He was not taken by surprise at the fall of Adam and Eve. It was already accounted for in His plan before He even created them. “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” 1Peter 1:20. Nothing done by man is affecting God’s plan. To the contrary, it is working right in line with God’s purpose.
I started writing this before the war against Iran began, and I know some are very concerned about what will come of that. However, nothing that is happening today is outside of God’s purpose. He is putting everything into place where He needs it to finish His work with humanity.
I would not have enough room here to lay out every bit from the Old Testament, but I will point out that God chose Abraham to become His nation. He chose others throughout the OT to bring about the necessary people and conditions for Jesus to come. He chose and used imperfect people like Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, and many others to bring about His purpose in Christ Jesus. Paul tells us that Jesus came at just the right time. Galatians 4:4.
I cannot tell you exactly why that was the “right time”, but God has an exact plan that is being worked out. What I can tell you is that God’s purpose is wrapped up in Jesus, and that it includes you and me and anyone who will trust in Jesus. I can tell you God is choosing to work through people and nations to bring about His final purpose.
While we may not have every minute detail of God’s plan, He has revealed to us what He intends to do. “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:9-10.
God will gather all things together in Jesus. Jesus came and gave His life to make it possible for us to be a part of this plan. It was always God’s intent to bring humanity into His presence through the sacrifice of His Son. This is God’s work, and not one person can take any credit for it. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 2Timothy 1:9.
I find this revelation to be incredibly exciting. It is also very humbling to realize that God always intended for me to be able to spend eternity in His presence. I think sometimes we fail to comprehend the fulness of this plan. Maybe we have heard it before, and are keen to regurgitate the words, but do we really understand? Are we aware of the depth of God’s grace? Paul prayed for the saints to have a deep understanding.
To put a “cherry on top”, there is even more. God is taking from out of those who have believed and trusted in Jesus (the church), a group that will be the bride of Jesus. These will have a very close intimacy their Lord. It is still God’s work, so we still cannot take any credit for it, but we can be a part of that company. All God is expecting from us is a desire and a willingness to yield to His working.
When we study God’s Word with a true desire for a deeper revelation, God will honor that and reveal Himself more and more. As He does that, He is working in our life to change us from glory to glory. He is preparing us for a close intimate relation with Himself for eternity. Don’t let the world rob you of this great opportunity.
In II Samuel chapter 9, we find the story of Mephibosheth, which is a spiritual picture of salvation by grace. Mephibosheth was King Saul’s grandson through his son Jonathan. According to I Sam. 31 King Saul and Jonathan had both been killed in battle against the Philistines. After Saul’s death, David became king of Israel. David had loved Jonathan as he would a brother and had made a love covenant with him when they were younger.
II Sam. 9:1: “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” In v.3 David asks Ziba, one of Saul’s servants, “…Is there not yet of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.”
In these verses, we see that David is seeking for someone to show kindness to in order to honor his covenant of love to Jonathan. He sought and found Jonathan’s son who was lame on both his feet, and therefore unable to stand or walk. We learn from II Sam. 4:4 that Mephibosheth had become crippled when he was injured in a fall at age 5.
II Sam. 9:4-5: “And the king [David] said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir…in Lo-debar. Then king David sent and fetched him out of the house of Machir…from Lo-debar.”
In this story, David is a spiritual type of Christ who came to seek and to save that which was lost because of a love covenant that He had made with His Father. It was love that brought Jesus to this world to die on the cross to save sinners. Mephibosheth represents the sinner who is lame on both his feet and has no standing before a holy God. When Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, he lost his standing with God. Mephibosheth also lost his ability to stand when he fell.
Where was Mephibosheth found dwelling? He was found in the house of Machir, which means “to perish,” in Lo-debar, which means “barren wasteland.” This is where we are found as sinners before Christ rescues us. We are perishing in a barren wasteland of sin and unforgiveness. But Christ loved us enough to seek for us and to “fetch” us out of our hopeless condition and bring us unto himself.
Mephibosheth’s name means “shame out of his mouth.” We read in Rom. 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” All of us are in a shameful and helpless condition apart from the grace of God.
II Sam. 9:6-8: “Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence…And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake…and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” Mephibosheth humbled himself before king David and acknowledged that there was nothing good in himself to merit the king’s favor. This is exactly what we must do in order to receive salvation. Salvation is by grace alone. None of us are worthy to receive it. We must accept it by faith.
In v.10 David tells Ziba, “…Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table.” And in v.11 he states, “…As for Mephibosheth…he shall eat at my table, as one of the King’s sons.” Mephibosheth was raised up from being a “dead dog” to the same status as one of the king’s sons. When we are born again we also become one of the king’s sons, not just servants. Oh, what grace, oh, what love that He has shown to us, as declared in I John 3:1: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…”
II Sam. 9:13: “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.” Jerusalem means “foundations of peace.” He was brought out of the house of Machir (“to perish”) in Lo-debar (“barren wasteland”) to a place of peace and rest. This is the place where we are brought spiritually by God’s grace, and we are made to dwell in the king’s house and eat continually at His table as His sons, as David said in Ps. 23:6: “…I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Mephibosheth never regained strength in his legs. He remained weak and dependent on the king’s grace. Spiritually, this means that we have no strength in ourselves or any of our own ability to earn salvation or to keep ourselves saved by our works. But God’s grace is sufficient for us, as Paul was told by God Himself in II Cor. 12:9: “And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
A woman sick for twelve long years,
heard that Jesus came.
If she could only touch His robe,
she’d never be the same.
“I shall be whole” she cried with faith,
as Jesus closer came,
“I am unclean but just one touch,
I’ll never be the same.”
The crowd pressed close around the man,
they’d heard about His fame.
With desperate courage she moved in close,
yet hung her head in shame.
I cannot speak, I am unclean,
but just one touch I’ll steal,
The hem of His dear garment,
is all that I will feel.
I shall be whole, I know I will,
her heart cried out with faith.
And as she touched that dusty robe
a miracle took place.
Jesus turned and looked around,
for virtue He felt leave,
A hand of faith had touched His tobe,
a heart that did believe.
“Who touched me?” He asked aloud
but knowing it was she.
He looked at her who touched His robe,
and knew she was set free.
The woman fell down at His feet,
pouring out her soul.
And Jesus spoke with tenderness,
“Thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Debbie Isenbletter
Springfield, Missouri
First, an apology for last month’s article that had Ephesians 1:7-10 which should have been Ephesians 1:7-12.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
So, verse 12 tells us that God’s purpose in our life is that we might be to the praise of His Glory. All of this is His purpose for those that put their trust in Jesus. It is the Gospel that brings us directly to Jesus. When we hear and understand the Gospel, we realize that the only way to salvation is to put our trust in Jesus, and that brings us directly into God’s eternal purpose.
He has given us the Holy Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance. An earnest is something valuable given as a pledge to some future value that will be given. While we are in this world, awaiting our final inheritance, we have God’s Holy Spirit. More than just something to show God’s promise, the Holy Spirit also works in us to make us into those that will certainly bring praise and glory to Him.
Verses 15 and 16 lead us into one of Paul’s prayers for the saints. I have always loved studying these prayers. It helps us understand what Paul thought was important for the saints, and since the Holy Spirit inspired him to write these down, they have important instruction for us.
First, note in verse 16 that Paul starts by giving thanks for all the saints. “ALL” the saints. And he is praying for all saints.
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:15-18.
Praying for wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I want to point out that none of this prayer is for worldly anything. Not even for healing (which Paul could use). It reminds us that what matters most is the spiritual. We often get too focused on the things in this life that bother us or that we think we need
Paul’s desire for the saints was that they would have a deeper knowledge of God. Nothing is more important or more valuable than knowing God. So many Christians have a very shallow knowledge of their Lord. The enemy can get us so focused on the world and our place in it and the things we think we need, that we fail to take the time to truly spend in fellowship with our Lord.
Many do not have any understanding of the hope that is in our calling. That is that God, in His amazing grace, has given us something that should make the things of this world pale by comparison. Our hope is that we will spend eternity in His presence, reigning with Jesus, which is also His inheritance. He considers us (His children) to be of extreme value to Himself. We have in us the life of His Son.
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:19-23
The next part of Paul’s prayer is for the saints to have a deep knowledge of God’s power. As a reminder of how great this power is, he tells us that it is the power that raised Christ from the dead. We probably have a good idea about power. We might know that there are powerful machines that can do serious work and it might impress us. However, we do not know of anyone that has power to raise the dead, except our God.
I realize that this kind of power is difficult for us to comprehend. This is why we live by faith. I believe that God raised Christ from the dead. However, do I really have a deep understanding of that power and it’s impact on me? Do I want to truly know God in that way? Paul prays for us that we would.
Something the Holy Spirit reveals here through Paul, is that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and has been given dominion over all things. This is part of God’s eternal purpose that will gather all things in Christ Jesus. The fulness of this purpose will come when God brings an end to the time of the Gentiles and Jesus returns to take His place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
In the meantime, we, the church, all believers are already under His headship and He is Lord over His church. Not all “churches” acknowledge this as they attempt to put a man as head of the “church,” but that does not change God’s purpose in any way. It is our privilege today to acknowledge and yield to the headship of Christ in our lives and in our churches. We are privileged to realize that we, as His church, are the fulness of Him that fills all in all. I think we should be amazed and excited by all of this.
We have come to understand that God has a purpose for us, and that it is in His Son Jesus Christ. We now know that it is all of Him; all His work, and all for His Glory. Paul’s prayer reminds us of how we should pray for each other, and even for ourselves. Asking God to reveal more of Himself to us, and to increase our knowledge of Him and of His power to work in our lives. This is a great request for us today.
Continued
Dearest Earlene, Thank You for reaching out to me. Just so You know my son Shaun passed 2/18/2026. Losing both my children 9 months apart, it is the hardest thing I have ever gone through. My only peace is knowing that they are with our Lord and Savior. I have always Loved the Lord, when I was saved and then Baptisted by Jack Davis. My life was changed, a true blessing. As life goes on somewhere along the way, life got in my way. Still believing in Jesus Christ, other things were always there, some good, some not so good. Trying to do things on my own without asking God what I should, I just did. Drifting further and further way from what I believed and knew the one and only person who could save me, I did not reach out to. God’s not supposed to let bad things happen to good people right?? Little did I realize that He used the adversities in my life to remember that He was there all along, but I just didn’t reach out to Him. Struggling in life with life, and the loss of loved ones, I knew I was broken and not walking in God’s good grace, but still tried on my own, living life on my own just wasn’t working. When I was taking care of my Dad before he passed, we were talking about God and the Bible. So I picked the Bible up and started looking through it and began reading and studying it more and more. Asking myself when and why did I stop relying on God?? I was lost without Him and just didn’t realize how complicated I made my own life. One of the hardest lessons that He taught me “I will never leave nor forsake You” Again I surrendered everything to Him, leaving me with a life filled with His word and goodness. I have ALL that I need, my life is full, again trust and believe ALL things through our Lord and Savior. My Daughter was always a child of God and loved him and trusted Him and put her life in His hands. My son was a different story, not until He moved back home with me due to his illness did he give his life to the Lord. He always questioned me why I read and studied the Bible daily. He thought God would never forgive him for the things that he had done in life, but I never gave up reading him scripture and having him read scripture. One day I saw him praying!!!! What a wonderful sight to me. I know He gave His life to the Lord, and that is a true blessing! Always know no matter what. GOD is always there to guide, protect and love Us, for our lives are in His hands and I thank Him for that, and loving and forgiving a Sinner like Me.
Genesis 22 tells of the time God told Abraham to “take his son, His only son Isaac that he loved, and to offer him up as a burnt offering.” As Isaac and Abraham headed toward the place that Abraham was told to go, Isaac asked his father “ where is a Lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replied “God will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering.” We will look at 5 places where the Lamb provided is seen.
#1. In the New Testament, at the right time, we see that Lamb in a manger. The shepherds, being directed by the angels, found that Lamb in Bethlehem. Shepherds were the first to see the Lamb that God had provided Himself. Why shepherds? Why a Manger? Why Bethlehem? The shepherds were probably temple shepherds. They took care of sheep and lambs that would be used in the daily sacrifices. The lambs born were examined, they had to be perfect, and put somewhere safe, so they could not be hurt, like a feeding trough which is what a manger is. When they saw Jesus wrapped and lying in a manger they saw God’s perfect Lamb, that God provided for Himself. Why Bethlehem? In Isaiah 9:6 A promise was given, “For into us a child is born” In Micah 5:2 the place of His birth was given “But though Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come that shall come forth unto Me…” The Lambs birth was prophesy fulfilled.
# 2. 30 years later Jesus is presented to Israel and the world. John the Baptist says of Jesus that there was one coming who was greater than John himself. These are his words “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me…” The word “preferred” not only means greater than John, it also means He was before John. One time Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I Am.” This shows that Jesus is not only Man He is God. John cries out to the world then and now “Behold, (look, see) the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” ( John 1:29). Jesus is introduced to the world as The Lamb that God Provided for Himself to take away the sin of the world.
# 3. Let’s look at the Lamb at the cross. Not only do we see Him as the Lamb at the cross in the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we see Him at the cross in Isaiah 53, in the Old Testament. It says “He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter.” In verses 4-6 are the reasons why. “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” This Lamb identified himself with us sheep. God became man and took upon Himself the penalty of sin, the death due all of us. This death goes beyond this natural body. This is the second death we see in Rev. 20:14. It is a death of separation from God, death of darkness, of sorrow, of being alone, a death of regrets. But now, because of Jesus we have access, even now the very presence of God. We have life and light and peace and joy, and fellowship, we are free to call God Abba, Father. We have a home and an inheritance. We are blessed because of the Lamb. We will enjoy all the above in it’s completeness when we see Jesus. Also, do you know God is for “party’s”? We have an example – when the son came home to his father in Luke 15. His father was so happy he threw a party for His lost son. We are told there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents? Yes, God likes party’s. There will be no partying in hell with friends. That is a lie of Satan.
# 4. Now, lets look at the “Lamb risen.” In Philippians 2 we see the downward steps the Son of God took. He who had been equal with God because He was God, left that place. “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (verses 6-8). Then we come to V. 9, “Wherefore (because of the preceding verses) God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Between the words “the Death of the cross” and the words “God hath highly exalted Him” we see the resurrection of the Lamb. For there can be no exaltation, if there is no resurrection. On that first day of the week, on resurrection morning, Jesus rose and appeared to those He loved. Their sorrow was turned to joy. Like the song says “Death could not hold in prisons greed the Fathers only Son – He Arose.”
# 5. The last place I want us to see the Lamb that God provided Himself” is yet future, the Lamb on His throne. In Revelation 4, we see Jesus taking His throne in heaven. We see 24 elders and 4 Living ones with Him. This group represents a full overcoming group of people who will be with Jesus when He takes His throne. In chapter 5, we see a book sealed with 7 seals in the right hand of the One seated on His throne. This is a book of judgment. No one was found worthy to open this book. The writer of Revelation, the disciple, John, began to cry. He knew this was an important book, But there was no one to open it. So he wept. Then one of the 24 elders told John not to weep; that the “Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David had prevailed to open the book and loose the seals thereof.” Oh, this must have made John so happy. He knew that this Lion was Jesus Himself. So John looks at the throne but he does not see a Lion. He sees “A Lamb as it had been slain…” This is no ordinary meek Lamb. This LAMB has 7 horns. “Horns in scripture speak of power and authority. This LAMB has the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit, represented by 7 eyes. This LAMB is empowered like a Lion to pour out judgment on a Christ rejecting world. This is the LAMB God has for Himself prepared.
We have seen the LAMB in Genesis 22 promised.
We have seen the LAMB in the manger.
We have see the LAMB in His ministry.
We have seen the LAMB at the cross.
We have seen the Resurrected LAMB
And soon to come, we will see the LAMB on His throne, ready to return as KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS.
Even so come, Lord Jesus. AMEN.