Sunday's Hymn and a Thankful November: God's Providence

One stone, two birds.

Continuing with hymns that fulfill the admonition to teach one another with our songs, this week’s doctrine presented in a hymn is the doctrine of God’s providence, which tells us that God is always involved in everything that goes on in his creation. He sustains and directs everything so that it all fulfills his purposes.

God Moves 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.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign 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 flower.

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 (Listen)

 Here are a few previous posts on God’s providence: 

• God’s Sovereignty
  
• Getting Your Theology on Track
  
• On Preparing for Suffering and Evil from D. A. Carson: Part 1, Part 2

I’m thankful for God’s providence. It gives order to the universe and meaning to all of life’s circumstances. It means we can be thankful in everything. Nothing is too trivial for our thanksgiving, since God works in the minute details of his creation, managing and ordering it for his good purposes. And even in adversity, we can be thankful, because our difficult circumstance are part of his plan for us and have his good purposes behind them, or as today’s hymn says, “Behind a frowning providence, [God] hides a smiling face.”

Other thankful folk

• Columbine is thankful that “We made it home safe and sound to Colorado…. I am also thankful that last night both my husband I and were able to get in over 5 hours of sleep.”
• Candyinsierras is thankful for her leatherman knife.
• Kim is thankful for the talents God has given her son, “the willingness he has to share his work, the way he asks for and receives feedback and his wonderful imagination.”
• Carla is thankful for godly leaders.
• Connie is thankful “for the living hope [God] has given me through Christ Jesus! Only Christ satisfies this thirsty soul.”
• Lana G is thankful for her camera.
  

To participate in this month’s theme of thanksgiving:

• Mention something you’re thankful for in the comments here, and I’ll include it in one of my thanksgiving posts, or
  
• Email me to tell me what you’re thankful for and I’ll include it in one of the thankful posts, or
• You may post your thankful thought(s) on your own blog and send me the link(s), and I’ll link to your post.
• If you’ve posted something thankful and I missed it, please remind me.

Other hymns, worship songs, etc. posted today:

• O Thou from Whom All Goodness Flows at joythruChrist
• The Collect for the Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity at Magic Statistics
• There’s Just Something about that Name at The Happy Wonderer
• Lord’s Day 45, 2007 at The Thirsty Theologian
  
• The Church’s One Foundation at Hiraeth
• Revive Thy Work, O Lord at Seasoning of the Heart
• In the Cross of Christ I Glory at Thoughts from the Teahouse
• Our God, Our Help in Ages Past at Whatever Things…
• Blest Be the Tie That Binds at Lux Venit
  

Have you posted a hymn this Sunday and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.

Comments

[connie @ practicing theology]

Love, love, love that Cowper hymn!! During our annual fall Bible conference this past week a man by the name of Todd Murray (Little Rock Bible Church ~ Arkansas) gave a biographical lesson on John Newton and highlighted his rich friendship with Cowper who lived for many years just behind the Newton house during his first pastorate.

I've always liked the verse, "...behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face." Sweet, comforting, sound theology!

[rebecca]

I love the story of Newton and Cowper, and that Newton took it upon himself to look out for Cowper throughout his life. That's real pastoral care. :)

[William Meisheid]

Today, November 12, I am thankful for the sacrifice of all those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Military, including my brother who died in August 1968 in Vietnam.