God Moves in a Mysterious Way

When speaking about God's management of the world, the term "providence" is often inserted. Providence is a term associated with God's involvement in all things. More specifically, his maintaining of creation, his cooperation with every action, his orchestration of every event, all in fulfilment of his purpose. In a nutshell, God's providence refers to his ongoing relationship to creation. Upon recent reflections on God's providence I was reminded of the words of 18th century English hymn writer named William Cowper (pronounced Cooper).

Throughout the stormy trials of life, Cowper displayed a Job-like commitment to the Lord in the midst of suffering. The tough times of Cowper's life led to suicide attempts, and insanity. Entering into an Insane Asylum, the distressed wanderer hooked up with a Christian Doctor by the name of Dr. Nathaniel Cotton. Cowper was miraculously converted by God's grace while institutionalized at St. Albans Insane Asylum and left in June of 1756. Interestingly enough, Cowper met with the former slave ship captain, John Newton (writer of Amazing Grace). Together, Newton and Cowper wrote a collaboration of 348 hymns called the "Olney Hymns" named after the town Cowper settled in. After a post-conversion attempt at suicide, and yet another season of despair, Cowper would fight with depression right up till the point of his death.

One of the puzzling realities of Cowper's life is his perseverance of faith in the midst of mental illness. Sometimes Christians are guilty of romanticising saving faith in Christ to the exclusion of personal struggles like: sorrow, despair, desperation, and depression. Whats more, is that Christians often try to humanize God into thinking he owes people all the answers to all of life's questions. William Cowper was a man that held tightly to God's sovereignty as a comfort in sorrow, and strength in weakness. Just listen to the heart of the hymn writer exposed in one of his most well known hymns, "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 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.

William Cowper, 1774