Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Can prayer change perfect will of God? | Ps 115:3 | BradK | 195032 | ||
Hi Cheri, Time only permits me to answer in part. Hopefully someone else can "fill in the gaps". I think C.H. Spurgeon stated it about as well as anything I've read on the Immutability of God (Sermon 1). He states in part that God is immutable: 1. In His essence; 2. In His attributes; 3. In His plans; 4. in His promises Regarding His plans, Spurgeon said: "Then again, God changes not in his plans. That man began to build, but was not able to finish, and therefore he changed his plan, as every wise man would do in such a case- he built upon a smaller foundation and commenced again. But has it ever been said that God began to build but was not able to finish? Nay. When he hath boundless stores at his command, and when his own right hand would create worlds as numerous as drops of morning dew, shall he ever stay because he has not power? and reverse, or alter, or disarrange his plan, because he cannot carry it out? “But,” say some, “perhaps God never had a plan.” Do you think God is more foolish than yourself then, sir? Do you go to work without a plan? “No,” say you, “I have always a scheme.” So has God. Every man has his plan, and God has a plan too. God is a mastermind; he arranged everything in his gigantic intellect long before he did it and once having settled it, mark you, he never alters it. “This shall be done,” saith he, and the iron hand of destiny marks it down, and it is brought to pass. “This is my purpose,” and it stands, nor can earth or hell alter it. “This is my decree,” saith he, promulgate it angels- rend it down from the gate of heaven ye devils; but ye cannot alter the decree; it shall be done. God altereth not his plans; why should he? He is Almighty, and therefore can perform his pleasure. Why should he? He is the All-wise, and therefore cannot have planned wrongly. Why should he? He is the everlasting God, and therefore cannot die before his plan is accomplished. Why should he change? Ye worthless atoms of existence, ephemera of the day! ye creeping insects upon this bay-leaf of existence! ye may change your plans, but he shall never, never change his." I trust this will help in answer of your question. BradK |
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2 | Can prayer change perfect will of God? | Ps 115:3 | skccab | 195037 | ||
Good afternoon Brad Thank you so much for your effort, but it didn't do the trick. Confusion still abounds. If what you and Spurgeon state is correct, then what is the purpose of prayer? The narrative of the two events remain - God was going to do one thing and man intervened by prayer and God did something else. I don't understand why He conferred with these 2 men of His about His plans, but the narratives clearly state that He did and He listened and events were changed. :-) Cheri |
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3 | Can prayer change perfect will of God? | Ps 115:3 | BradK | 195046 | ||
Hi Cheri, I've got a bit of time on my lunch/errand break:-) Let's go back to the original question. Keep in mind that God speak through the use of anthropomorphisms (language we can understand) to communicate Himself to us. Scripture cannot contradict scripture either. Scripture is clear that God is both Sovereign and Immutable in His attribures (among others- Ps. 115:3, Mal. 3:6, Heb.13:8)). If this is so, can the creation change the Creator? Is this completely logical if He is, in fact God? Can we, through prayer, alter the Almighty Sovereign in His will and actions? Think about this and it's ultimate ramification if this is so! A.W. Pink wrote this on Immutability: "God is immutable in His counsel. His will never varies. Perhaps some are ready to object that we ought to read the following: "And it repented the Lord that He had made man" (Gen. 6:6). Our first reply is, Then do the Scriptures contradict themselves? No, that cannot be. Numbers 23:19 is plain enough: "God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent." So also in 1 Samuel 15:19, "The strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man, that He should repent." The explanation is very simple. When speaking of Himself. God frequently accommodates His language to our limited capacities. He describes Himself as clothed with bodily members, as eyes, ears, hands, etc. He speaks of Himself as "waking" (Ps. 78:65), as "rising early" (Jer. 7:13); yet He neither slumbers nor sleeps. When He institutes a change in His dealings with men, He describes His course of conduct as "repenting." Yes, God is immutable in His counsel. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:29). It must be so, for "He is in one mind, and who can turn Him? and what His soul desireth, even that He doeth" (Job 23:13). Change and decay in all around we see, may He who changeth not abide with thee. God’s purpose never alters. One of two things causes a man to change his mind and reverse his plans: want of foresight to anticipate everything, or lack of power to execute them. But as God is both omniscient and omnipotent there is never any need for Him to revise His decrees. No. "The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations" (Ps. 33:11). Therefore do we read of "the immutability of His counsel" (Heb. 6:17)." [AW Pink- The Attributes of God] I hope this helps, BradK |
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4 | Can prayer change perfect will of God? | Ps 115:3 | skccab | 195061 | ||
Shalom Brad I have just read your post on the attributes of God. I agree with everything it said (I even agree with what you originally said), I guess that's what's causing the problem with me (note operative word :-) ) I guess I'll just have to leave this one for that glorious time we are all gathered together before Him. But thank you soooo much for taking the time and effort to un-confuse me!! And thank you to everyone else who has tried also. I'll get there, eventually, truly I will :-) Cheri |
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5 | Can prayer change perfect will of God? | Ps 115:3 | skccab | 195063 | ||
Shalom Brad Yea!!!! I finally got it!! Thank you!! (it only took 3 readings of both parts together, and 2 readings of the link Doc sent me, but I got it!!) With brothers and sisters like you guys, how can one go wrong? Even when I'm a bit "thick" you don't give up, and I'm soooo glad you don't. Thank you, thank you! Cheri |
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