Dear Friends,
I think most of us would agree that the past 10 months has been a
challenging time for us. The Covid 19 pandemic and the bitter presidential
election has caused a great deal of social upheaval as health concerns have
isolated us and political differences have separated us, and racial issues have
divided us.
But through it all we need to remind ourselves that God is still
in control. He is still on the throne.
William Cowper wrote many hymns throughout his life, but one of
his best-known hymns was titled “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.” What makes
this hymn so intriguing is the circumstances behind its composition.
At the time he wrote this hymn, Cowper was overwhelmed by problems
in his life. He was down so deep in the slough of despond that he couldn’t even
see out. Finally, he decided that his problems were so great, there was nothing
else that he could do but commit suicide. He got a gun and aimed it at his
head, but the gun didn’t go off. He threw down the gun and got a rope and
hanged himself from the chandelier-and the rope broke. He took some poison and
got well! He decided the only thing to do would be to throw himself into the
river.
So, he went out and hailed a taxi-a horse and a carriage- and told
the driver to take him to the Thames. Now, any taxi driver in London could find
the Thames with his eyes closed. But it was a foggy, miserable day and the cab
driver could not find the river! He went down this street and that street, but
he couldn’t find the Thames. He spent over an hour and finally ended up in
front of his hotel. So, he got out, went upstairs, and was pacing back and forth
in his room when his eyes fell on a Bible. He opened it and read of the love of
God who said that he would never leave us or forsake us. He said that He would
wash away all of our sins, and that He would work all things together for our
good. And William Cowper right there received Christ as his Savior, trusted in
Him as his Lord, and he wrote these words, “God moves in a mysterious way, His
wonders to perform: He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the
storm. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread, are
big with mercy and shall break in blessings on our head.”
Cowper had come to know that even the future was in the hands of
God, and that nothing could come to him that didn’t come through the filter of
a Father’s love.
Yes, one may despair of the events surrounding us, be standing on
the doorstep of depression, or worse yet, like Cowper, suicide, but be reminded
that God is still on the throne, and He is still holding the world in His hands
and still performing His will even in His “mysterious ways” that our finite our
minds cannot conceive.
Hang in there brother or sister, for whatever issue you are
facing, God is faithful and He will see you through.
Yours in faith and friendship,
Tom
The above story of William Cowper was taken from a file card I had
saved, and which had no attribution given.
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