Consider who does the planning. He is the Creator, the First Cause, “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 21:6). He is the “Lord God Almighty…. King of the ages” (Revelation 15:3).2
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17). M
[God] who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen (1 Timothy 6:15-16). M
Who can stop such a King from doing exactly what He plans? He “works out everything” to fit “the purpose of His will.”3 In the context, Paul is assuring his readers: God has a great purpose for you. Be confident that God “works out everything” for that purpose to succeed, even when fierce enemies surround you (Ephesians 6:12). Those evil forces are led by “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).4 Even earthly kings may oppose and harm you.5 Paul himself writes from a Roman prison, as “an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:20). Powerful enemies try to destroy him. Yet hostile rulers have no power compared with “the only Ruler,” who raises His Son from death, and enthrones Him “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21). Despite the worst that devils and men can do, Christ reigns as “the Ruler of kings on earth” (Revelation 1:5).6 He is the absolute Monarch, “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14; 19:11-16). No power exists that can keep Him from His purpose. Be assured, therefore, that He fulfills His plans for you!7
1. Luke 15:20; John 14:3; 17:24; James 4:5; Isaiah 30:18
2. Psalm 10:16; 24:1,10; 103:19; Jeremiah 10:10
3. Ephesians 1:11 cf. Ephesians 4:6; Job 9:4,12; 42:2
4. Cf. John 14:30; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9-17
5. Acts 4:1-3,25-29; 5:17-18; 9:1-2; 12:1-3; 16:22-23; Revelation 13:7; 17:12-18; 19:19; 20:9
6. Many still rebel, but they cannot overthrow the truth that Christ reigns. The Old Testament predicted that Jesus would be enthroned while kings resisted (Psalm 2:1-7; Acts 4:25-29). He reigns in the midst of His enemies to defeat each enemy, finally death itself; then He will return the kingdom to His Father (Psalm 110:1-7; Acts 2:34-36; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
7. Research subject – Success: Romans 8:28-39; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 10:13; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18
Picture: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Yet, even before creation, God loved us, chose us, and planned to adopt us as His sons (Ephesians 1:4-5).