The Will Of God

Glen, I think it means that God is sovereign over all things, and that nothing occurs outside of His active will (Ephesians 1:11). Other verses seem to teach the same truth (e.g., Ecclesiastes 7:14; Amos 3:6; Lamentations 3:25-39; Proverbs 16:4; Job 2:10). If we compare 2 Samuel 24:1 with 1 Chronicles 21:1, it would seem that God uses even Satan to bring about His purposes. Note that we are always responsible for our own actions. The fact that God is sovereign does not absolve us from guilt when we commit willful, self-centered acts. The Lord held David responsible for taking a census, even though God had moved him to carry out that census. In short, God has a good and loving plan, and all things have a place in it, even actions we consider evil (cf. Genesis 45:5-8; 50:20). It could be no other way if God is truly sovereign.