"For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"–Isaiah. 24:27.
Many are those who make their New Year's resolutions, but lack the resolve or power to carry them through. A resolution may be founded on good intentions, but without the will and ability to see it through, it is soon but a fleeting memory.
How different God is from his creatures! God is not man that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19. What a comfort for believers to know that God is sovereign and that what He has purposed to do, He does! Creation, providence, redemption and judgment all reflect the mark of His will. The song of the redeemed is, 'Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created," Rev. 4:11.
1. God purposed and accomplished the redemption of sinners through the sacrificial death of His Son. "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand, Isaiah 53:10. Will any suffer eternal condemnation for whom Christ died? Romans 8:34- "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
God purposed and calls sinners through the preaching of the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 1:21- "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." His Word never returns to Him void, Isaiah 55:11. If you believe on Christ, it is because God ordained His Gospel to produce that faith in you, Acts 13:48. Should you continue in your unbelief until death, God will use His very Gospel to your condemnation for His glory.
God purposed and reveals Christ in sinners by His Spirit, when and where He will, Galatians 1:15. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace." Thankfully the Lord does not leave the choice to us. His people are made willing in the day of His power, Psalm 110:3.