By Dr. Don Boyd
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11) This is one of the most blessed, exciting verses in the Bible. It is saying, “I have plans for you—plans to get you through life, plans to make you productive, and plans to give you hope. I have no plans to harm you, just give you a great and wonderful future!”
Does that sound too good to be true? If anyone but God were making that promise, you would think it was some kind of sales pitch to get you to buy something. But these are God’s Words, and He does want your best interest served. He wants you happy in His ways. He has the power to provide anything and everything.
So, how do you become a part of God’s plan to grant you this wonderful future? “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalms 37:4) You knew there had to be a catch. However, it’s not a “catch,” it is simply a condition—a condition that He will give you the very desire to fulfill. Delight means to know you belong. Enjoy serving the Lord. “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalms 100:2) Delight means like being around God. It means wanting Him to actually lead you where He chooses.
You also need to know that most people, especially most Christians, never find God’s perfect plan for their lives because most enjoy something else more than they enjoy God. Most never meet the condition.
I know what some are thinking. Do these plans include money and boats or a big house? Things don’t make a person happy. Hanging around God and enjoying God makes a person happy—with or without these things.
I have heard one question for years, especially from young people. “What is God’s plan for my life?” That question is asked in many different ways.
∙ “What college should I attend?”
∙ “What course of study should I take in college?”
∙ “Whom should I date?”
∙ “Where should I work?”
∙ “What is the real purpose of my life?”
∙ “Can you tell me in what direction to go?”
Every person needs to settle three big issues if he is going to find God’s plan. It’s part of “delighting yourself in the Lord.”
- Who will guide your life? Whatever the answer, you just chose your master.
- Who (and maybe if) will you marry? This is a tough one because you need someone else’s decision, too. You are finding and deciding if you will have a mate.
- What will you do with your life? Choosing your career, your occupation, and how you get there is deciding your mission.
“Delighting in the Lord” decides the master, the mate, and the mission. When I was 17, I wanted to be an electrician. I got saved at age 18 and gave my life to God. My master, my mate, and my mission all changed. Thank God!
In my next article, I will discuss the seven things every person wants out of life. They are God-given needs. Yes, the seven things you want the most are God’s desires for you as well.
