God’s Mysterious Ways: Finding Trust and Hope in Uncertain Times

On Sundays, I teach a Bible class on Jesus in the Old Testament. It is a fascinating study, but it raised a question. I wonder what those living in those passages thought. Without knowing the end, they asked, “what is God doing?”

We ask that question many times.

Three years ago, a pandemic gripped the world. Churches shuttered, and traffic disappeared. People hoarded toilet paper and started baking bread, making yeast a prized possession.

That year, I lost my best friend from high school to cancer and another. Life was upside down and sideways.

What was God doing?

I realize now many things later in life. God doesn’t use a ruler but draws freehand.

An architect places a ruler on paper and draws a straight line from the beginning to the destination. But the artist starts with brush strokes. At first, it is puzzling, but the picture becomes clear as time progresses.

It was an idea that William Cowper had to learn through experience.

His mother died when he was only six. While at boarding school, he started to experience debilitating bouts of depression.

After graduating, he apprenticed as a lawyer. But his law career was dashed when he suffered panic attacks. Three times he attempted suicide but failed in each one.

He gave up on life.

Things changed when he developed a close friendship with John Newton, the author of the song Amazing Grace.

He was so overwhelmed by God’s “overruling providence” for him to live that he wrote his famous hymn on God’s providence, “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 ev’ry 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.

All find themselves in circumstances that make no sense. It happens at the death of someone precious to us. Sickness descends, and we feel alone. Doubt overshadows our soul, and we wonder if God can hear prayers above our ceilings.

What is God’s plan and purpose? We don’t know, but as Cowper said, “he will make it plain.”

Just hold on to God’s hand and trust he works in his mysterious way in his own time.