The Pilgrimage

Some time ago I had the joy of helping my son Caleb memorize a poem for
school. He chose, “God Moves In A Mysterious Way,” by the 18th century poet
and hymn-writer William Cowper. The poem is about the fact that in our
darkest trials our loving, sovereign Father is at work, for his glory and
our good. If you are going through a trial, drink in these words. If you
are not going through a trial, remember them…for trials come upon all of
us.

“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.”

I thought of that poem this week as I told the story of Dr JI Packer to the
men in our Tuesday morning study. Dr Packer is probably the most respected
evangelical theologian in the world. His book, Knowing God, is a classic of
Christian literature, and he has written many other books that will bless
the church until our King returns.

But when he was seven years old, he ran out into the road and was hit by a
bread truck. He sustained a very serious head injury and had to wear a
protective plate on his head for an extended period to protect his brain.
This hindered him from playing sports, and drove a boy who was already shy
into even greater seclusion.

But God was at work. It was during those years that he began to read and
write. God was making the author whose books would one day bring blessing
to millions.

Think of Moses: When he was forced to flee Egypt under threat of his life,
where did God take him? To the very region where one day he would lead the
people of God after the Exodus!

Discouraged brother or sister, listen to me: God knows what He is doing in
your life! He is too wise to err. Trust him. He will take the very clouds
you dread and pour forth blessing from them. He will use this adversity in
your life to do amazing things in you and amazing things through you. “The
bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.” Be encouraged
today!

Dr. Thurman R. Hayes, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church
1004 Yorktown Road
Yorktown, VA 23693
(757) 867-8082
www.bbcyorktown.org