Isaiah 46:9–10
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 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:
Look at this amazing verse with me. Listen to what God says about Himself as He reveals His Sovereignty through the prophet Isaiah.
There is none like me. Aren’t you glad there is none like Him? If there were any like Him, then we would have to worry if our God was going to win. When two teams are evenly matched, the question of who is going to win the contest is in question—but that is not the case with God—there is none like Him. I can’t play basketball—I mean it—I really can’t play. I can foul and double dribble and miss shots like the best of them, but I can’t play to win. So if I were ever to get a chance to play basketball with Michael Jordan there wouldn’t be any question who was going to win our little one-on-one game. Jordan would win because “there is none like him.” (I know some would argue that Jordan is not that much better than others, but he works well for the illustration.)
Now look at verse 10. This is what God does—He declares the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are NOT YET done. It doesn’t get any more sovereign than that. He is in charge. He declares the end from the beginning. When He wants the outcome a particular way it happens that way and it always happens that way. From the ancient times the things that are not yet done are done.
This is predestination. It can’t be denied. Some stick their head in the sand and pretend it doesn’t exist. Others try to make it a heresy because of the perception that man loses his “freewill.” Neither choice is acceptable. The Bible says He declares “the end from the beginning.” How He does this while preserving human freedom is a mystery and a remarkable thing that my finite brain struggles at comprehending. However, my inability to comprehend how he: 1) declares the end from the beginning, 2) can be moved by prayer toward certain actions, and 3) I have lots of freedom to make choices does not change the truth of this verse.
And this verse should be of the greatest comfort to all who believe. “How so?” you may ask. My answer is simple, “what is the point of praying to a God who is not powerful enough to declare the end from the beginning?” or is so absent from mankind like a deistic view of God that He doesn’t choose to declare the end from the beginning?” This verse should invoke within me faith. My God for whom there is none like Him has the power to declare the end from the beginning. That is powerful—that is Almighty! His counsel shall stand. He can and will do all He pleasures to do and there isn’t anyone who interferes with His purpose as He sees fit. From the beginning Satan (and all that is evil) have been trying to keep God from accomplishing His counsel and His pleasure but “it will stand!” For 6,000 years of human history God has been demonstrating that He accomplishes His good pleasure as He sees fit. In fact for 6,000+ years God has been demonstrating that He is so powerful He can take what is meant for evil and turn it into good.
For that I am glad. That low view of God will bring no comfort to a soul who is in tribulation.
