We understand that everything that takes place in time, comes to pass because it is ordained by God in eternity. The scriptural phrase, “it came to pass” means literally, it is required. It is caused. Our God is absolutely sovereign.

It is also true that God has all contingent knowledge. He knows what could have been if…. Christ said to Capernaum, “If the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matthew 11:23). God said in Psalm 81:13-14, “Oh that my people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in my ways. I should have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.” In both these instances God talks about what would have been if….

While we believe in the absolute sovereignty of God, this belief does not produce a stoic fatalism. It is still true that if we do certain things prescribed in the Word, we will enjoy God’s blessing, and if we do not do what He tells us in His word, it will bring great sorrow into our lives! Oh, the blessings we could experience, the heartache we could avoid, if we would only obey. A poet once wrote:

Of all the words of tongue and pen
None are sadder than it could have been.”