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We’ve all heard it said: “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” But is that really the case? Does God really love us all in the same manner and have a wonderful plan for us all? For instance, does He have a “wonderful” plan for unrepentant rapists (or gossips!)?
The book of Joshua says, “So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it” (21:43). But everything was not wonderful for everyone. Moses did not receive the land. The first generation who came from Egypt did not receive an inheritance. So much for unconditionality.
But what does this mean to the Christian? Is God’s promise to save us conditional? Absolutely! The promise of God to save is utterly conditional—if not for Christ, none would be saved. Thus, our salvation is conditioned on the perfect work of Christ.
This is no mere wordplay. In Genesis 12:7 and again in Deuteronomy 12:10, God promised Israel that when they crossed over the Jordan He would give them a land and an inheritance. They would have safety and rest from their enemies if they believed God.
From man’s perspective, “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” is true. But not everyone fulfills the “whoever believes” condition of God’s new covenant promise to save us from our sin. God has promised that all who believe in Him will be saved (John 6), but those who do not will be condemned (John 3:18).
“The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers” (Josh. 21:44a). For those who believe in Christ, there is a rest that goes beyond the Promised Land. The author of Hebrews tells us that Joshua spoke of “another day” (Heb. 4:8–9). God has promised us a day when we shall enter a final celebration and rest in Him.
“And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand” (Josh. 21:44b). The same wonderful promise applies to us as well. The gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ’s church (Matt. 16:18). Satan will be delivered, his defenses ruined, to Christ in the last day.
“Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel.” This was (and is) the culmination of His wonderful plan. It was for all those who had faith, a gift from God. For if the promise was according to the law, then “faith is made void and the promise made of no effect” (Rom. 4:14b). But the promise is sure because it is by faith, to those who are wonderfully adopted into His family and His privileges.
He has a plan. And it is wonderful.