You’ve all heard the saying, ”God works in mysterious ways.” What does that mean, exactly? Does it mean he’s unpredictable? Does it mean he is like a riddle?

Merriam-Webster defines mysterious as: exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify. Whereas, Oxford Languages defines it this way: difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify.

I like the first definition. I don’t believe God is impossible to understand but I do find myself in awe and wonder as he speaks into my life.

So, what about this saying? Does it even come from the Bible?

It actually comes from an old hymn written in the mid-1700s by a man who had become so depressed he tried several times to end his life only to be thwarted by what he deemed was God’s intervention. Here he expresses his experience:

1: God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

6: Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan his work in vain;

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

Light Shining out of Darkness, By William Cowper

I included the final verse to show his conclusion. We don’t always understand the way God chooses to work, but God will interpret his ways for us.

So, if it isn’t a quote from the bible, is it biblically supported?

Isaiah 55:8 explains that his ways are not our ways and that his thoughts are above ours. Yet in I Corinthians Chapter 2, Paul explains that the mysteries of God are revealed to us by his spirit as we have the mind of Christ.

I’m sure if you talk to any believer they can tell you a story about the surprising mysterious way God worked at some point in their life. I would also like to go on record to say, God’s ways are in no way dark or tricky. He always operates in love for our benefit. We may never gain a full understanding of God’s ways in this lifetime, but God will give us the interpretation we need to fully trust in his methods.

I want to end this blog post with a copy of the Father’s Love Letter for anyone experiencing depression or having suicidal thoughts. I pray you will perceive the presence of your heavenly Father and feel the embrace of his love.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart,you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4 And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad Almighty God

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