THE purpose of God cannot be frustrated. His holy mind can never be disappointed. His will is law. His counsel must stand. He is in one mind, and none can turn him. He takes pleasure in them that fear Him, and in them that hope in His mercy. He chose them to salvation in Jesus, according to the good pleasure of His will. He works in us to will, and to do, of His good pleasure. He will fulfill in us all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power. He is pleased to save His people with an everlasting salvation. He is pleased with our obedience to His precepts. It is our Father's good pleasure that gives us the kingdom. He accomplishes the purposes of His will by angels; they are His ministers which do His pleasure; by men, good and bad; by devils; by Jesus Christ; the pleasure of the Lord prospers in His hand. For His pleasure all things are and were created; and he worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. Let us seek to be like-minded with our God; let us acquiese in all that pleases Him, and let us take pleasure in glorifying him. If God does His pleasure our best interests are safe.
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea. And rides upon the storm. His power and wisdom will fulfil, The utmost counsel of His will.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
THE purpose of God cannot be frustrated. His holy mind can never be disappointed. His will is law. His counsel must stand. He is in one mind, and none can turn him. He takes pleasure in them that fear Him, and in them that hope in His mercy. He chose them to salvation in Jesus, according to the good pleasure of His will. He works in us to will, and to do, of His good pleasure. He will fulfill in us all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power. He is pleased to save His people with an everlasting salvation. He is pleased with our obedience to His precepts. It is our Father's good pleasure that gives us the kingdom. He accomplishes the purposes of His will by angels; they are His ministers which do His pleasure; by men, good and bad; by devils; by Jesus Christ; the pleasure of the Lord prospers in His hand. For His pleasure all things are and were created; and he worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. Let us seek to be like-minded with our God; let us acquiese in all that pleases Him, and let us take pleasure in glorifying him. If God does His pleasure our best interests are safe.
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea. And rides upon the storm. His power and wisdom will fulfil, The utmost counsel of His will.