Our God is a God of purpose. His purpose is eternal and cannot be altered (Isa. 46:9-11). God's purpose of predestination includes all things (Eph. 1:11). The object of God's eternal purpose of predestination is the salvation of his elect (Rom. 8:28-30). Everything that comes to pass in time was purposed by God in eternity (Rom. 11:36). And the object of God in all that he does is the effectual accomplishment of the everlasting salvation of his elect. In recent days we have seen the Lord take two of His servants home to be with Him. Some have wondered why Paul Thacker did not go to the doctor earlier. Some have wondered why Bill Clark suddenly had a heart attack when his type of cancer had no bearing on his heart. Well, the answer to all the questions that might arise in our minds is found in the will and purpose of God. We are just bystanders in history watching God unfold His plan out before us each day. It was the purpose of God to take brother Bill and brother Paul home to be with Him which is far better. Bill’s and Paul’s salvation is complete now because they are home with their Maker and Redeemer. So, as sad as we are because of their absence, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!"