The Mysterious Ways of God

Psalm 44:24  “Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?

While having coffee this morning and browsing Facebook, I saw yet another post where someone had asked God for something and wasn’t granted exactly what he had asked for.  His answer was, “Oh well, God works in mysterious ways.  He must have a better purpose.”  In other words, I didn’t get what I wanted but it must be a blessing in disguise.

One of my friends from work told me that God has blessed her with this job and He provides food for her family.  “The Bible says that God will provide everything that we need,” she exclaimed.  If God blesses us with food so that we don’t starve, why are there people starving?  If God cures diseases, why is my Christian friend fighting Parkinson’s Disease?  If God takes care of us, why do tsunamis and earthquakes kill thousands of people every year?  And if God is omnipotent (all powerful) and He has the ability to abolish diseases or stop a tsunami and He doesn’t then that means He chooses not to help everyone.

By being gracious to God for being able to eat, I’m implying that God has chosen not to provide for those who are starving.   By thanking God for my good fortune, am I not implicating him for the misfortunes of others?

It has been over 21 years now since my three-year-old son died.  He suffered most of his life – my only child.  No matter how hard I prayed or my church prayed for him, it was to no avail.  Will I ever know why he was taken from me?  Am I supposed to know?  So, I’m back to “God works in mysterious ways.”

Well, for now, I’m sitting in the dugout… waiting for my turn at playing… wondering if a “blessing in diguise” will get me to the big leagues.  Time for another cup…

Isaiah 45:15
Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself, the God and Savior of Israel.

William Cowper (1731–1800)

God Moves in Mysterious Ways

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 sovereign 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.

William Cowper was a British poet and hymnist. He struggled throughout his life with depression, doubts, and fears.