Tuesday, July 10, 2012

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

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, 1731-1800

Taken from the book Good Reading for High Schools, English Writers, 1931 (I don't think my high school literature book contained this lovely poem.)

And we know that
God causes all things to work together
for good
to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NASV)