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NASB | Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 115:3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. |
Subject: Can prayer change perfect will of God? |
Bible Note: 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 |