In keeping with National Poetry Month, I could think of no better poet for a Good Friday post than William Cowper, and no better poem than the one listed below:
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 design,
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.
Cowper battled deep depression throughout his life. His mind
lived in dark, hopeless places more than it enjoyed the light and joy of life.
It is for that reason that I am blown away that He speaks of God by saying, “Behind
a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.” For all of life’s pain and
troubles, for all the hope that he seemed to lack, Cowper still believed that behind all of the darkness and pain, God cared for him and meant him well. I pray that
if this Easter finds you discouraged or confused, that you will know that
behind the troubles and challenges of life, God is there, He cares, and will
not leave us in our pain forever, but will turn it into something beautiful.
Picture courtesy norfolkliterary.co.uk
Poem courtesy poemhunter.com
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