Counsels and purposes of God, The

• Are great.

  Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

• Are wonderful.

  Isaiah 28:29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

• Are immutable.

  Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

  Proverbs 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

  Jeremiah 4:28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

  Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

  Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

• Are sovereign.

  Isaiah 40:13-14 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

• Are eternal.

  Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

• Are faithfulness and truth.

  Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

• None can disannul.

  Isaiah 14:27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

• Shall be performed.

  Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

  Isaiah 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

• The sufferings and death of Christ were according to.

  Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

  Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

• Saints called and saved according to.

  Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

  2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

• The union of all saints in Christ, is according to.

  Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

• The works of God according to.

  Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

• Should be declared by ministers.

  Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

• Attend to.

  Jeremiah 49:20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

  Jeremiah 50:45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.

• Secret not to be searched into.

  Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

  Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

  Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

• THE WICKED
• Understand not.

  Micah 4:12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

• Despise.

  Isaiah 5:19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

• Reject.

  Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.