Ultimate Security: Finding a Refuge in Difficult Times by Derek Prince Page B
Authors: Derek Prince
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to notice the word “appointed” in that verse, as well as in Jonah 1:17. God had appointed a storm, He had appointed a fish, He had appointed a plant, and He had appointed a worm to eat the plant. All these events were prearranged. God knew what Jonah was going to do the first time He called him. God did not approve of what Jonah did. But because Jonah was predestined, ultimately, God got His way.
That should be a word of encouragement to us. Not that we should be disobedient, but that we should know that even if we make mistakes or take a wrong course, God’s predestination has taken it into account in advance. He will have the storm, the fish, the plant, the worm, or whatever else is needed to cause us to realign with His way. This brings us back to the original purpose for predestination. What is that purpose? That we might fulfill God’s plan for our lives—even in spite of ourselves—in a way that ultimately brings glory to Him.
You are part of an eternal plan. It is all going to
take place through God’s grace and for His glory.
10
FOURTH STAGE: CALLED
The first three phases of God’s plan for us—“He foreknew us,” “He chose us,” and “He predestined us”—belong to the realm of eternity. They all were complete before time began. I believe it is important to understand this, because it gives us such a different sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. We are not just creatures of time. Our roots are in eternity—in the eternal mind, heart, and counsel of God.
From Eternity into Time
The fourth phase—“He called us”—is different from the first three. At this point, God’s plan emerged out of eternity into time. When that happened to each one of us, God made His first impact in our individual lives. That is why the moment when God calls you or me is perhaps the most critical moment of our lives. Our future is decided by our response to His call.
I can remember very vividly my moment of being called by God. It was July 1941, and I was without any background in spiritual understanding or knowledge of the Bible—someone who had completely dropped out of church attendance. I was what you might call a nominal Christian. In that condition, I was suddenly, unexpectedly, and dramatically confronted by God’s call. In all my ignorance and all my darkness, I saw one truth by revelation: I could never expect or claim that God would call to me a second time after that. I understood what a critical moment this was in my whole life. I had to decide how I was going to respond to God’s call. With all my heart, I thank God that, by His grace, I made the right response.
Please note very carefully what I am about to say. If, as you read this, you have a sense that God is calling you—if what I have written here answers to something that is happening right now in your life—I want to tell you very urgently, this is the most critical moment of your life . Please give careful heed—not just to me, but to the voice of God as He speaks to you.
Invited and Summoned
The word call is somewhat of an Old English word, at least the way it is used in the Bible. As I mentioned earlier, it has two meanings that go together: “to invite” and “to summon.” When you receive an invitation, it means you are being asked to participate in something nice. But when you receive a summons, it always represents a mandate from an authority. The call of God is both. It is an invitation to all the blessings of God in Jesus Christ. But it is also a summons from the Ruler of the universe. When we receive God’s call, we cannot just shrug our shoulders and say, “Well, I don’t feel like accepting.” Rather, we must soberly recognize that we are dealing with almighty God.
In all that pertains to this matter of calling, God still retains the initiative. He calls; we answer. However, it is important for us to recognize at this critical point that His call requires a response from us. Again,
That should be a word of encouragement to us. Not that we should be disobedient, but that we should know that even if we make mistakes or take a wrong course, God’s predestination has taken it into account in advance. He will have the storm, the fish, the plant, the worm, or whatever else is needed to cause us to realign with His way. This brings us back to the original purpose for predestination. What is that purpose? That we might fulfill God’s plan for our lives—even in spite of ourselves—in a way that ultimately brings glory to Him.
You are part of an eternal plan. It is all going to
take place through God’s grace and for His glory.
10
FOURTH STAGE: CALLED
The first three phases of God’s plan for us—“He foreknew us,” “He chose us,” and “He predestined us”—belong to the realm of eternity. They all were complete before time began. I believe it is important to understand this, because it gives us such a different sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. We are not just creatures of time. Our roots are in eternity—in the eternal mind, heart, and counsel of God.
From Eternity into Time
The fourth phase—“He called us”—is different from the first three. At this point, God’s plan emerged out of eternity into time. When that happened to each one of us, God made His first impact in our individual lives. That is why the moment when God calls you or me is perhaps the most critical moment of our lives. Our future is decided by our response to His call.
I can remember very vividly my moment of being called by God. It was July 1941, and I was without any background in spiritual understanding or knowledge of the Bible—someone who had completely dropped out of church attendance. I was what you might call a nominal Christian. In that condition, I was suddenly, unexpectedly, and dramatically confronted by God’s call. In all my ignorance and all my darkness, I saw one truth by revelation: I could never expect or claim that God would call to me a second time after that. I understood what a critical moment this was in my whole life. I had to decide how I was going to respond to God’s call. With all my heart, I thank God that, by His grace, I made the right response.
Please note very carefully what I am about to say. If, as you read this, you have a sense that God is calling you—if what I have written here answers to something that is happening right now in your life—I want to tell you very urgently, this is the most critical moment of your life . Please give careful heed—not just to me, but to the voice of God as He speaks to you.
Invited and Summoned
The word call is somewhat of an Old English word, at least the way it is used in the Bible. As I mentioned earlier, it has two meanings that go together: “to invite” and “to summon.” When you receive an invitation, it means you are being asked to participate in something nice. But when you receive a summons, it always represents a mandate from an authority. The call of God is both. It is an invitation to all the blessings of God in Jesus Christ. But it is also a summons from the Ruler of the universe. When we receive God’s call, we cannot just shrug our shoulders and say, “Well, I don’t feel like accepting.” Rather, we must soberly recognize that we are dealing with almighty God.
In all that pertains to this matter of calling, God still retains the initiative. He calls; we answer. However, it is important for us to recognize at this critical point that His call requires a response from us. Again,
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