- We sang a new hymn tonight in church. Actually, not a new one...it was written in the 1700's. :) But new to me. I love that after almost 40 years of being in church hearing and singing hymns, there are still "old" hymns that are new to me! And I am so thankful for the care that Lyndel puts into selecting our music every week. God so often speaks so clearly through the music we sing on Sundays and on Wednesday nights.
The words to this hymn are just incredible. Our hymnal only contains verses 1, 3, 4, and 6 as listed here, but when I looked up the lyrics online, I decided I really love the additional verses here, too. The first two lines of verse four (as listed here), stuck out to me especially tonight. How often do we see that in today's world (and do it ourselves)?? Judging God by our "feeble sense"...how ridiculous, when we look at it that way. And yet, every time we say, "My God wouldn't do....." or "How could a good/just/loving God do....?", that is exactly what we are doing. Ouch.
I had already decided I had to come home and blog on this hymn, and then when I sat down at the computer, the top item on my Facebook newsfeed was this quote posted by Scotty Smith...
"Music... will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
So very true! I have seen that over and over again, especially through all the difficulties of the past 6 years. Today has been a day of "perplexities"...a situation I'm rather at a loss as to how best to handle, a suggestion that rather unsettled me, and being just plain exhausted (and a bit behind) headed into a really, really busy week. And once again, God has sent a song to "keep a fountain of joy alive"...
- God Moves in a Mysterious Way
- 1.God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm. - 2.Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will. - 3.Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head. - 4.Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face. - 5.His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r. - 6.Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
~ William Cowper
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