Yeah. I’ve often heard people say that. But their reasons for saying it can vary. For an example, an atheist might say that the moon goes around the earth because of the forces acting on it. It doesn’t just happen by choice or chance.
And maybe some would say that all the decisions that we make as humans are predetermined too. I remember hearing a philosopher/scientist in a debate claiming that the notion of our minds making decisions is an illusion.
From my own perspective, I like to think that God is working His purpose out in everything. Many Scriptural verses focus on our choices and activities, but it’s always a great comfort for me to know that God has a plan, and that somehow, He’s working His purposes out. Here are two verses that speak of that:
Ephesians 1:11
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
People often debate the issue of predestination. I’m happy to accept that it’s all too complicated for us to claim that we know precisely how it all works. But I definitely lean towards thinking that God plans it all out. What about evil? Does He plan that? Well, He allows it and uses it for His purposes. Two examples of that are the story of Joseph in the Old Testament and the crucifixion of Jesus. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He ended up in Egypt. He eventually became something similar to a Prime Minister. His brothers fleed to Eyypt during a famine. And instead of getting his revenge on his brothers, he was happy to welcome them and rescue them. This is what he said to his brothers:
Genesis 50:20
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
And the disciples of Jesus spoke about the crucifixion of Jesus in similar terms in the Book of Acts:
Acts 2:23-24
23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Peter went on to preach the gospel and thousands responded. Sometime later, during one of the initial persecutions of Christians, the disciples said something similar in a prayer in Acts 4:
Acts 4:27-28
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
So, again, it was a comfort for them to know that everything was going according to God’s plan, though from their own perspective, things seemed to be going badly wrong.
Here are some hymns that touch on the theme of today’s prompt:
Hibernia Gospel 