Undoubtedly the saga of David and Absalom in 2 Samuel 13-19 is a riveting one. At one point David is fleeing Jerusalem to escape with his life while Absalom is entering it to usurp the throne. The events are spiraling either downward or upward, depending on who you are. If you’re Absalom, then you’re thinking this is culminating (16:22). If you’re David, then you’re thinking this is disintegrating (16:22).

Regardless, one thing is for certain as chapter 16 closes: everything is escalating. Towards what? From a human perspective, one could answer civil war. But from a divine perspective, the best response is God’s sovereign will.

In this narrative, I find four intriguing observations about God and how he accomplishes his will.

1. It can be accomplished in response to prayer, one of God’s “ordained means.”
2. It will be accomplished in spite of our performance (or lack of).
3. It is often accomplished through providential means (i.e., the natural occurrences of life under the supernatural authority of God).
4. It is always accomplished because of God’s faithfulness to his own character and promise.

Ah, God’s will. Not God’s maybe. Or God’s hope-so. Not even God’s probably. But God’s will. And because it’s God’s will, God will!  How comforting, encouraging, and reassuring to know our Lord will do everything he has promised, and will accomplish that which he has ordained.

“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Ps. 33:10-11)