Providential Grace

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 purpose 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.

I have referred to these lyrics before. But I do find great comfort in them.

I truly love this old hymn. Probably because, due to my life circumstances growing up, the bible’s teaching on providence is an anchor that keeps my soul from imploding. It’s even hard to type due to emotion that wells up as I think on the Lord’s grace to me to rescue me through his “bright designs”.

These words come from William Cowper (I’ll put a link in to a biographical sermon on his life that will be worth your time reading later) who wrestled through his life with deep bouts of depression.

Hey, I’m not depressed, but this has been one heck of a week already. Monday, ENT appointment to check on some throat issues I’ve had for a year or more, Jennifer’s grandmother died and Daniel comes down with some viral stomach thing. Now another one of the boys is coming down with the same junk. All of this when I am about to leave for Orlando on Thursday and the family has to drive to Columbia, SC for a funeral while I’m not there to help. Not to mention what to do with our dog…

Hey, I get that these are light issues in the global scope of things, but that’s a bunch for Monday. Today I could hear these lyrics in my memory and they mediated grace to me and I hope they will for you too.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” Proverbs 16:33

This is a great salve for my aching soul some days. Even seeming random and chance things are tools in the Master’s hands to work good for us who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

So, there is nothing that the beginning of this week has brought about for you or I that is not for our good and mediated through Father’s good grace to us.

Be strong and take courage!

Below is a link to a biographical sermon on the life of William Cowper.

Enjoy Father’s grace to you…

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/biographies/insanity-and-spiritual-songs-in-the-soul-of-a-saint