The Design of God’s Heart

“But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of His heart, through all generations.” Psalm 33:11

I take great comfort in this verse. God’s plans do not change whimsically, and He has His reasons for what He does. The reason is always love. When I was young, I was staring at a plaque I had made out of cardboard and gesso and paint. I had written the words, “God is love” on it. Although I had placed it there without much thought, God wrote it on my heart all those years ago. I remember staring at it a long time with the realization that it was true. It became “rhema” to me, God’s Word became alive for me. 

Just as God called Abraham, Moses, the patriarchs, just as sent His Son to save us,  He calls us, too. He has a plan for each and everyone of us. Behind every closed door we face, every unanswered prayer, every person who hurt us, there is God’s love. Jeremiah prophesied in chapter 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Ravi Zacharias, the well known apologist travels the world today giving talks to thousands and thousands of people. When he was a young boy you would have never thought he would be successful and live a life of purpose. Even his father pronounced, “You know, you’re going to be a huge embarrassment to the family—one failure after another.”

In his despair, Ravi even tried to commit suicide. Failure always stared him in the face. He tells the story that he was training to be a pilot and of 300 candidates, he placed in number 3, so he was sure he would be accepted. When the commanding officer interviewed him, the officer said, “Son, I’m going to break your heart today. I’m going to reject you. I’m not going to pass you in this test.” “May I ask you why, sir?” Ravi replied. “Yes. Psychologically, you’re not wired to kill. And this job is about killing.”

If Ravi would have been accepted and became a General Duty pilot, he would not be where he is today. He is an effective apologist and evangelist, a defender of the faith who leads people to Christ and trains Christian preachers. God knows our frame, He knows our uniqueness. After all, He made us and loves us. 

This Advent, as we move closer to the season of Christmas, let us reflect on God’s plan for mankind in relation to us. Perhaps there are disappointments in our life or mistakes we regret. Allow God space to work and weave His own threads into the tapestry of our life. We can be sure His design will be beautiful and full of love.