“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Recently, I was pondering the statement we’ve all heard or read before at one time or another. The statement is “God moves in mysterious ways.” There are no “oops” or “what-ifs” with God, our destinies are planned for us by the sovereign work of God from the moment we’re conceived. God has plans for our life that no one can predict. I have learned throughout life not to question the way God works and how mysterious His ways are. He clearly says in the two verses above. He is sovereign. He is God, and I am not. You see, the saying that “God Moves in Mysterious Ways” doesn’t come from some religious text. In fact, it goes back to a poem written by William Cowper in the 18th century based on his life experience.Cowper battled deep depression. Three different times he attempted to commit suicide, failing all three times. So on the forth try, he flagged down a cab and told the driver to take him to the Thames River there in London, England so that he could drown himself. However, a thick fog rolled in and prevented the cab driver from finding the river. After driving around several times and getting lost, the cab driver finally dropped Cowper off. To Cowper’s amazement he was right back at the foot of his own doorstep. Whether it was God intervening or the cab driver’s purposeful action, Cowper strongly believed that God sent the fog to prevent him from taking his own life. Because even in our darkest moments, God is watching over us.Through a series of events William Cowper became a Christian by surrendering his life to following Jesus Christ. Over time, he was eventually connected to a man who became his mentor, and that mans name was John Newton, yes that John Newton, the writer of the famous gospel hymn “Amazing Grace.” Cowper, a poet himself went on to write 68 old hymns of the faith which are still in church hymnals all across America today. One of which says . . .“God moves in a mysterious wayHis wonders to perform;He plants His footsteps in the seaAnd rides upon the storm.”Yes, “God moves in mysterious ways.” I’m not sure where you are right now in your spiritual journey? I’m not sure what pain, setback or heartache you are enduring? However I remind you and encourage you today that God is Sovereign. He has a special plan and purpose for your life. He is penning your story. He loves you with an everlasting love. He knows you by name. He knew you before you were conceived. He formed you. He shaped you and He desires to have an intimate, right relationship with you. And that can only happen when you surrender your life and your will, to His.Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 40 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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