Mysterious Ways

We need the full array of “witnesses” who have gone before us … not just the “happy ones”. William Cowper had it rough – debilitating depression, multiple attempts to take his own life, hospitalized with deep mental health struggles. It was there as he was hospitalized that he came to trust Christ, and then later was discipled by the famous slave-trader turned pastor – John Newton. Together they wrote and compiled the Olney Hymnal with Newton’s Amazing Grace and Cowper’s God Moves in a Mysterious Way. Rich truths and honest emotions filled their poems/hymns. And yet the earthly “happy-ever-after” never came for Cowper as soon after writing God Moves, dark days returned and he attempted suicide by drowning. He died on April 25, 1800, in the throes of depression. Do you have a place for this in your practical theology? 

“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 fashions up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will … Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds that you much dread, are big with mercy and will 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.” [Listen to it here]