Mysterious God

I share with you this Easter week end a rich poem by William Cowper (1774). This dear and sensitive friend of John Newton’s (author of “Amazing Grace”) lived a quiet, rather secluded, and reflective life. Sounds easy. It was not. This poem/hymn draws me to Cowper, a troubled soul. I hope you will read it slowly and carefully . 

It is most right this Easter week end that we meditate gratefully and worshipfully on the suffering Christ — Holy God Omnipotent–   weak, vulnerable, despised — absorbing the corruption of the world. He who “plants His footsteps in the sea”  became sin for us, absorbing our guilt, suffering, and punishment.  The Cross and the Resurrection answer our queries regarding how a good and all powerful God could allow such evil and suffering in the world over which He is said to rule. Cowper grapples with the brokenness of the world and himself, and he concludes the following:

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 sov’reign 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.

Friday’s  frowning providence of the Cross hid Sunday’s smiling face of the resurrection. “He is risen. He is risen indeed.” Having paid the debt for my sin, I too shall rise.  This is the promise.

^” When you were dead in your sins . . . , God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25