Bulletin Articles
God’s Plan Will Prevail & Comprehending the Depths of God’s Plans
God’s Plan Will Prevail
In the lineage of Christ, there are many miraculous deeds by God, as well as missteps by men. God allowed it all, and moreover, allowed it to have a hand in his plan to save us all.
Genesis 29-30 covers the saga of Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and Laban.
Captivated by the prospect of having Rachel as his wife, Jacob is willing to work seven years to marry her. Laban lies to Jacob, giving him Rachel instead because she was the elder daughter. Already, we see a fallen relationship between families and deceitfulness. And don’t forget where Jacob came from in the first place. He was fleeing his brother, Esau after taking his blessing and birthright (Genesis 27:41).
When Jacob marries Rachel too, his discontentment grows over Leah (Gen. 29:31). God allows this, using this opportunity to have Leah conceive children. In response, the sisters enter a period of time where they are arguably envious of one another’s time with Jacob. It becomes so contentious that the sisters are bartering over their husband for mandrakes (Genesis 30:14-16).
Yet, God remembers both women, and all of their children serve a purpose as the twelve tribes of Israel. Rachel, favored by Jacob, was remembered by God, and gave birth to Joseph, the son that would save the family from famine (Genesis 30:22-24). Leah, while not favored by Jacob, was blessed by God. She gave birth to Judah, the lineage through which Christ came. What a comfort it is to know that even in this fallen world, God’s plan will prevail through it all.
Comprehending the Depths of God’s Plans
In the hymn, “Speak, O Lord”, it opens one of its verses with this supplication: “Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds; help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.” This is a worthy prayer request that we should be praying for ourselves and for our brethren.
We can see the Apostle Paul pray this prayer for the saints in Ephesus multiple times:
“I pray that that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” (Eph. 1:18 – 19)
“…and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17 – 19)
It is important that we pray to God to help us grasp how glorious His plans are because Satan frequently presents alternative plans for our destruction (Eph. 6:11). We need to be reminded that sin only leaves us feeling empty, but the love of Christ is so vast, that Paul says it “surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:19). The more we comprehend the hope that we have in Christ, the easier it will be to say “no” to Satan’s plans.
