“Thy righteousness is like the great mountains;
thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preserve man and beast.”
(Psalm 36:6)
Every action in God’s grand design has a purpose. Even every particle, every occurrence, every gust of wind in our vast universe all function as parts of a bigger whole. Because at the helm of this intricate dance is God the Creator and Supreme Orchestrator, acting with intent and purpose according to His divine plan.
When we reflect on God’s works in conjunction with His Word, it becomes clear that He never acts without a purpose. He is never moved by mere compulsion or blind necessity, like a stone falling due to gravity or wood burning when set aflame. God possesses wisdom and will in its highest form. As He gave understanding and moral agency to angels and humans, He employs His own infinite understanding and freedom of will to shape all of reality.
Our understanding is limited, of course. Which causes us to often question God’s design. Why do certain events occur? Why does God allow the wicked to prosper while the righteous suffer? To our limited perspective, circumstances might appear random or even chaotic. This sentiment is echoed in our text of Psalm 36:6 where it is stated, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains.” Similarly, Job 9:10 speaks of “great things past finding out.” Yet, while we may not always discern His plan, Acts 15:18 reminds us, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” And this we can be sure of – His grand plan always centers on the glorification of Himself and that of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the grand King of all.
Everything God does is part of this unified design. Though the universe is immense, and its events are manifold, God has a singular ultimate aim in His actions to bring Himself glory. Different situations and events serve different purposes, but they all culminate into one grand design. Just as a single world is made up of numerous components, everything in creation serves a singular divine intent… similar to a clock with various moving parts where each movement is orchestrated to serve a specific role in showing time.
It is helpful to think of God’s designs as rivers. Numerous tributaries and streams feed into one larger river, all culminating in the vastness of an ocean. Similarly, God’s numerous actions and designs ultimately serve one magnificent purpose for one specific end – His glory. “What is this one great design that God has in view in all his works and dispensations? It is to present to his Son a spouse in perfect glory from amongst sinful, miserable mankind, blessing all that comply with his will in this matter and destroying all his enemies that oppose it, and so to communicate and glorify himself through Jesus Christ, [the] God-man.”[1]
Contemplations:
- Reflecting on Understanding and Will. When I think of God granting understanding and will to angels and men, I’m reminded of the significance of choice and consciousness. It is a gift to have the power of understanding, the moral ability to choose, and the agency to act. How do I use my understanding and will on a daily basis, and am I aligning them with a greater purpose?
- The Mystery of Divine Purpose. I often question the events around me, wondering about God’s purpose, especially when faced with adversity or observing the suffering of the righteous. Psalm 36:6 mentions the depth of God’s judgments. How can I trust more deeply in the divine plan, even when I don’t fully understand it?
- The Unity in Diversity. The vastness of the universe, with its manifold creations, is a testament to God’s grand design. Each part, though diverse, serves a single purpose. This makes me ponder about unity in diversity in my own life. How can I appreciate the various experiences, challenges, and joys as parts of my own grand design?
- Rivers of Purpose. The analogy of various streams feeding into one grand river, ultimately merging into the ocean, is a vivid representation of God’s unified design. It prompts me to reflect on the streams of my life. How can I ensure that my actions, thoughts, and feelings all flow towards a purposeful, unified direction?
Further References for Psalm 36:6:
Psa. 104:14; Neh. 9:6; Rom. 11:3; Psa. 71:19
[1] Jonathan Edwards, “Approaching the End of God’s Grand Design,” in Sermons and Discourses, 1743–1758, ed. Wilson H. Kimnach and Harry S. Stout, vol. 25, The Works of Jonathan Edwards (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2006), 116.
