How many of us have experienced an unexpected appearance from God? I don't mean visually, but perhaps a dark moment in our lives when there seems to be no solution to our problem(s). When it is seemingly the darkest, God shows up. Out of the blue, His answer comes and it is so out of left field. We wonder where God is and then BANG! He shows up. It doesn't take us long to realize that He's been there all along, but for some reason He has been masked from our presence. It's at those times when this song comes to my mind:
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His gracious will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
These words were penned by William Cowper who himself had times of darkness in his soul. His depression led him to want to commit suicide. His intention was to call a cabbie (not a car, but horse-drawn buggy) and ride to the river Thames to jump in and end his life. The story goes that about that time a heavy fog rolled into London and it was so thick the cabbie couldn't find his way to the river. Being frustrated himself, he ordered Cowper out of the buggy. Cowper stumbled around a dark street until he found himself at his own door. After this incident he penned these words, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." Indeed He does.
Are you in a time when you wonder where God is? He's right there with you, always has been, always will be. Jesus promised, "I'll be with you always." Learn to expect God showing up. Learn to enjoy the surprises. Because you never know when He will show up. Have a great day.
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2 comments:
Thanks for posting William Cowper's great hymn. Today is the 279th anniversary of his birth, but his hymn still has an important message for us--that God is in control.
If you enjoy reading about our hymns and their authors, I invite you to check out my daily blog on the subject, Wordwise Hymns.
And if you’ll excuse a brief “commercial:” If you do not have a good book on the subject of our Christmas carols, I encourage you to take a look at my own, Discovering the Songs of Christmas. In it, I discuss the history and meaning of 63 carols and Christmas hymns. The book is available through Amazon, or directly from Jebaire Publishing. (Might make a great gift too!)
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