That's NOT In The BibleSample

“God moves in mysterious ways”

This particular expression has its origin in an 18th century hymn written by William Cowper of England. Nothing wrong with a hymn, right? Certainly not one inspired by the words of Jesus, found in John 13:7, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” And you’d be right.

The problem is not with the hymn itself. The problem is with the decontextualized saying which has evolved from its lyrics. Taken out of context, “God moves in mysterious ways” has come to embody the notion that anything and everything that doesn’t go our way is somehow God’s doing – and that is simply not the case.

While it is true that the Lord’s ways are mysterious in that they do not conform to human patterns of reasoning or motive (Isaiah 55:8), His heart is, without question, good and pure. He is a God of love, a Father loyal to His children, both a promise-maker and promise-keeper. (Deuteronomy 7:9) And we know this through the ministry and witness of His Son, Jesus, in whom His eternal majesty and covenant love was made manifest. (Hebrews 13:8)

By coming to know God’s heart in Jesus – by drawing near to Him, so as to invite Him to draw nearer to us (James 4:8) – we gain a deeper insight into God’s methodology. Not that we should ever be expected to fully understand all of His ways – Jesus was right on the mark with that analysis (John 13:7) – but His end game becomes a lot clearer when we take the time to immerse ourselves in His Word so as to know Him better. (Proverbs 9:10)

A deeper, regular study of God’s Word reveals much – not only about the heart and character of God Himself, but also about our own damaged hearts and faulty character. Cast in the Light of Truth, we come to see that not everything which befalls us is necessarily God’s “mysterious way.” (John 3:19-21) Some situations are merely the result of living in a broken world: one which we should never accept as normal. (Romans 12:2) And sometimes, too, the circumstances we face are the result of events we ourselves have set in motion – not God.

Thus the saying should go, “God may move in mysterious ways, but His heart is an open book.”