Forthright Fixation

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth

The sovereignty of God is the foundation for much of the Christian faith. As believers we trust that God is leading and guiding us, that he keeps watch over us, and that he ordains our steps. It is an easy doctrine to believe. It is one that gives strength to the elect and fear to the non-believer. When times come, however, where the holy will is different from what human nature desires, our belief in that doctrine is challenged. Scripture teaches that God has ordained our days before time.

“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalms 139:16 NIV

If God truly has planned our lives before hand, our only response to life events, is to sing with the hymn writer, “Whate’er my God ordains is right”

The plan of God might, in times, lead us to sorrow or questioning. We bring on ourselves difficult situations. God in his providence acts in ways we don’t understand. Yet, in all of this, we are to recognize that God has ordained it and whatever God has ordained is right.

The plan of God might bring sickness or suffering. Christians suffer for the cause of Christ. God might ordain hurting for the sake of drawing his child nearer to him or so that the unsaved might see the faith of that child. Yet, in all of this, whatever my God ordains is right.

The plan of God might deny pleasures, which in our finite human thinking seem to be proper or even necessary. God can deny worldly riches, familiar relations, or personal satisfaction. He does all of this for his purposes and for his glory. Thus, whatever my God ordains is right.

Lest we become discouraged, we must understand that the opposite is true as well. God grants life and breath and daily provisions. God provides salvation, redemption, and sanctification. He blesses understanding, guidance, and wisdom. He gives family, friends, and enjoyments of life. In all of this, whatever my God ordains is right.

It is not an easy duty to look into the face of sickness or loss and praise God that his plan was done. Yet, if we truly desire the will of God that is the only response we can give. Failure to trust in and praise God for the workings of his will is sin. As we seek to be sanctified in Christ, we must desire what he has for us and praise him as he gives it.

And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Filed under: Attributes of God, Conviction, Trusting God