Determined Long Ago (2 Kings 19:25)

 


Tuesday, 18 November, 2025


Psalms 41; 44:1-9

2 Kings 19:20-37

Matthew 25:1-13


Determined Long Ago (2 Kings 19:25)


Have you not heard
    that I determined it long ago?
I planned from days of old
    what now I bring to pass,
that you should turn fortified cities
    into heaps of ruins,


The sovereignty of God over all things is such wonderful comfort to the Christian. We rest in God; we find peace in God; we ask him to look after us and care for us and to finally bring us into his everlasting kingdom. And we know we can ask God these things confidently, because he is sovereign over all things.


Whenever the darkness threatens to overcome; whenever we feel trapped with no way out; whenever we can see the way out, but no the path to get there: God is in control, and God is good. We will get there, because God is sovereign.


Spurgeon once made the claim that everyone is a Calvinist when they are on their knees in prayer. That is, no matter what we think about the responsibility God places on us as humans, when we turn to God in prayer, we pray as if we believe he can and will do whatever he pleases.


One modern commentator suggested, in response to Spurgeon’s words, that perhaps we should pray like “reformed charismatics”. That is, we trust in the absolute sovereignty of God over all things, yet pray with the boldness and forthright confidence that since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, God will act in response to our prayers. Confidence in God’s willingness to move – and the peace that comes from resting in God’s ability to move as he pleases.


What are you concerned about in your life at the moment? How might you pray your way through these concerns?


Almighty God of eternity, you formed us, our lives and futures from before the foundation of the world. Give us hearts to pray in trust that you are, in all things, leading us to our heavenly rest in Christ.

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