Contemporary artist Zach Williams stands out among other Christian peers with his blend of southern rock, country, and contemporary sound. Zach’s faith-filled songwriting is evidence that the singer wears his heart on his sleeve. Locally, Zach leads worship at his home church in Arkansas. Internationally, he has won multiple awards for many of his songs, “Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir,” and “Fear is a Liar.” The better life found in Jesus is what his catalog of songs is all about.
Zach’s latest single, “Heart of God,” from his new album, A Hundred Highways,” continues his ministry of reaching and encouraging everyone who listens to his music. The exhortation in the bridge of the lead single is loud and clear: “He’s not sitting there shaking His head/Writing you off, leaving you lost/He’s not sitting there shaking his head/He went to that cross, He went to that cross.” I had the chance to speak with Zach about “Heart of God.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I’ve lived a lot of life in a short amount of time. The one thing that I’ve known over all these years is that it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or what you’re going through, there’s only love in the heart of God. My message has always been that it doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done in your life, God’s got a plan for you, and He’s going to get His plan done somehow.
Along those same lines, the message of “Heart of God” is about surrendering your life and giving it to Him. There’s no limit to what you can do in your life. That’s not saying there aren’t going to be bad days, there will be, but you realize those bad days are still better than the best days you had before Christ.
What Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Hebrews 4:15(NKJV): “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Acts 13:22(NKJV): "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'"
2 Corinthians 6:18(VOICE): "'And I will be for you as a Father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters,' Says the Lord Almighty!"
Matthew 11:28 (NIV): “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV): “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Psalm 40:17 (VOICE): "Meanwhile, I am empty and need so much, but I know the Lord is thinking of me. You are my help; only You can save me, my True God. Please hurry."
Psalm 139:17-18(NKJV): "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You."
Lamentations 3:22-23(VOICE): "How enduring is God's loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day."
John 14:6(NIV): Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
1 John 3:18(VOICE): “My little children, don't just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life and live in the pattern of gracious love.”
What is the takeaway message?
For me, God's love is the biggest characteristic of His heart and that’s the message I’m trying to share in the song. Many people will relate to its message. We stumble, fall, and mess up. Many of us feel unworthy or not good enough to deserve God's love. Honestly, none of us deserve it. But God knows that which is why He sent His Son, Jesus. Christ gave His life so you could have yours. Know that you don’t have to live life on your own. He still loves you and won’t give up on you.
Lyrics
I know you’re hurting I can see it in your eyes So, pull back the curtain Take off your disguise Whoever told you That you ain’t worth the fight The cross tells a story That’ll change your mind
There’s only love in the heart of God No room for shame in His open arms There’s beauty from ashes So come as you are
There’s only love in the heart of God Ooh
Come, prodigal children, It’s never too late Run home to the father Let Him clothe you with grace Bury your burdens Break free from your fear Step out of t the shadows No judgment here
There’s only love in the heart of God No room for shame in His open arms There’s beauty from ashes So come as you are There’s only love in the heart of God Ooh
No, He’s not sitting there shaking His head Writing you off, leaving you lost He’s not sitting there shaking his head Wishing He’d never went to that cross He’s not sitting there shaking His head Writing you off, leaving you lost He’s not sitting there shaking his head He went to that cross, He went to that cross
(Aah) ‘Cause He loves you so much (Aah) Ooh yeah
There’s only love in the heart of God No room for shame in His open arms Makes beauty from ashes So come as you are (As you are) There’s only love in the heart of God (Heart of God) No room for shame in His open arms There’s beauty from ashes So come as you are (Come as you are) There’s only love in the heart of God (Heart of God) There’s only love in the heart of God
Closing Thoughts
We’re God’s sons and daughters, you’re his child. So, take God's love with you everywhere you go, and know that His love goes with you. Spend time reflecting on and singing this song to Him. It will give you comfort. He’s speaking to you in His still small voice. So, as Psalm 46:10 says, take time to "be still and know that He is God."
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life? Are you spending time listening to Him? He'll make you free. God wants to hear from you. With everything going on in our world, we need the encouragement that God is with us and that we're not alone. There’s no day and no hour of the day, in which our Lord Jesus is not present.
I’m inspired by biblically based songs that are sung about God, our perfect Daddy, our "Abba Father." 2 Corinthians 6:18 is an encouraging reminder of God's sovereignty and that He has been, is, and always will be with us. “And I will be for you as a Father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty.”
“Heart of God” conveys that your identity is found in whom He is as your father and who you are as His child; loved by Him. This song is a beautiful way to express devotion. It gives hope and inspiration. Sing this song with faithfulness, knowing that God loves you and is always with you.
This song is a great prayer to rid ourselves of worldly distractions and temptations that lead us away from God, praying instead to "be a man after God's own heart."
I was hooked by the Psalm-like reflective tone of the song, which has sincere and prayerful lyrics. If you don't know how to word your prayers of thankfulness for what Jesus has done for you, just sing along with this incredible song of faith. Our weaknesses are nothing to hide. In fact, because of our weaknesses, God's grace and strength are perfectly revealed.
We sometimes put up a wall between us and God. We feel that we’re not worthy of being near God and that He’s using a checklist to determine our worthiness. That’s not the Gospel. He just wants us to come home to Him.
The Bible says that God accepts us no matter what we’ve done. As the song says, “No room for shame in His open arms/There’s beauty from ashes/So come as you are/There’s only love in the heart of God.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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