Yeah okay, we all say that. Whenever something happens that we cannot understand, whether it is something wonderful or something difficult, we say something "like God's ways are so different than ours", "God's plan is different than ours, or "His timetable is different." Of course all these things are true, but at least for me, when these words come out of mouth, I don't always truly believe them, and I definitely do not believe that this plan is for my good.
I have been feeling this a lot lately, you know, wandering what God is up to (and at times demanding an explanation instead of simply trusting him). Sometimes you come to a place in your life, and you stand there, looking around, wandering what God is doing. You are not where you want to be in your life, and the future means either jumping off a cliff or climbing up a mountain, and both of those seem a little scary. Times like these are frustrating, emotional, and often cause me to doubt God's sovereignty, but it is those times where God is pruning us and making us more like Christ. We might not be able to understand what is going on, but we should never doubt God's mercy during these times.
Appropriately enough, one of my favorite hymns speaks to times like these. William Cowper wrote the words to "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" over two hundred years ago, and he was certainly no stranger to the heartache and struggles that life can bring. You can read his story in John Piper's book The Hidden Smile of God. However, in the midst of what seemed like "a frowning providence," Cowper somehow was able to trust that God's smile was not too far away.
I first learned this song about four years ago on Summer Beach Project. My friend Matt Francisco wrote a new melody to Cowper's old words, and this song suddenly became a wonderful part of my life. I have listened to and sung this song at least a hundred times, and every time I do, I can hear God's promises breathing hope into my weary soul.
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 sov’reign 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 flow’r.
Blind
unbelief is sure to err
And
scan His work in vain;
God
is His own interpreter,
And
He will make it plain.
Every wrong shall be made right,
As our faith gives way to sight.
Every tear shall be wiped away,
As the night gives way to day.
Those last lines are the smiling face of God. The promise that one day, we will be able to see Him face to face. There in His presence, all earthly trials will fade away, and we will taste the sweetness of an eternity with Him.
Matt and I had the opportunity to record this song a few years back, and I am so thankful that I can listen to it, be reminded of God's promises, and praise him for his good, gracious, and sovereign will.
If you would like a copy of our recording, you can get it here an Amazon for only $0.99! Or, you can search either Matt or I on itunes and find it there! I hope it will change your life as much as it has changed mine, and that it will be an encouragement to you no matter what you are walking through.
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