By: The Rt. Rev Derek Jones
The phrase “God moves in a mysterious way”, or similarly the American version – “God moves in mysterious ways” – is oft quoted at the concluding or epiphanal moment of a stressful time in one’s life when “God’s hand” is recognized. Many may be surprised to learn that this phrase isn’t a direct quote from scripture, but rather is a line from the poem Light Shining out of Darkness written by the English
poet and hymnodist William Cowper. Under the strain of his work for the House of Lords in 1763, William Cowper went into a period of deep depression. Three times, he attempted to take his own life. In 1764, he found himself within the walls of an asylum. He continued to write and, in fact, in one early poem while in the institution, he expresses great despair and anger. But, it was also while he was in an asylum that William Cowper, at his lowest point in life, poured over scripture and, in doing so, came to know Christ as Lord and Savior. Like many who, during this time of Lent, may struggle with their eternal security, so too did William Cowper about 10 years after coming to Christ. Carried through that time by Christian friends, in 1779, he would pen his poem that reminds us all that God does, in fact, move in a mysterious way.
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
This would also be the same time period when William would write one of his most famous hymns that reminds us we are secure in God’s redemption…
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.