“For the vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, for it will surely come.” Habakkuk 2:3
The word “predestinate” is a remarkable one which can only have its origin and realization in God. Why? In the epistle of Paul to the Romans, in a verse where he uses the word, it is preceded by this verse: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (8:28) How is it possible for “all things” to work together for good for the believer? What is involved? The first thing is the calling of God of the individual, his saving response to that calling by the grace of God, the new birth, and the “beginning” of learning God’s ways, to walk with Him. It is then that we faintly begin to see God’s hand in the life, directing circumstances, drawing out the heart, revealing increasingly to the heart and mind the truth of Christ. In essence we discover that the life is a mosaic of God’s dealings with the believer, who is in the will of God, seeking Him. The believer is predestinated by God to BE something on this earth, accomplishing and fulfilling a certain purpose. It is God alone who, in the heart and mind of the believer, can accomplish this. This is why Paul would write: “Faithful is He who calls you who also will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24) But what about this matter of God bringing about, over time, that which He promises, or declares…and doing so in such a manner that it is absolutely evident that He does it?
In the writings of the prophets, both major and minor, we find God speaking, initiating the contact with man, specifically with the nation of Israel, but also with the entire world. God takes the initiative in declaring an event, or status of things, that is to come. There are very many instances in the Scriptures where God puts a time-table in place. For example, He declared through the prophet Jeremiah, that Israel would be carried and kept in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. Daniel, a captive himself in Babylon, also wrote: “I Daniel, understood by books the number of years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem.” (9:2) Both Jeremiah and Daniel affirmed that God declared an event that was clearly described as lasting a certain time. However, there would be other times, when God would set a time for an event to occur, but because of the response of men to His overtures to repent, or the humbling of men before Him, He would prolong the time before that event would occur. For example, God’s message through Jonah to Nineveh was very clear: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” (3:4) The people believed Jonah’s preaching, repented of their sins, turning to God. The result would be a prolongation of the well-being of that city. Eventually, Nineveh would be destroyed, but the response to the preaching of Jonah had such an effect, that the timetable of God was prolonged. The same can be said of the days of Josiah, when the book of the law was discovered in the temple. The people repented for a season, and reforms were made in the nation. Josiah knew that the wrath of God was directed toward the nation because the Lord had spoken through the prophetess, Huldah: “…my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” (2 Kings 22:17) However, Josiah humbled himself, and sought the Lord. The Lord then responded to him: “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord,…thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.” (v.19,20) God had determined to make Jerusalem a “desolation and a curse,” because of their sin. But, judgement was delayed for a time, and this by the mercy of God.
Dear Father, Thy judgements are true and certain. Show forth Thy certain, great mercy to us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.