God works in mysterious ways. That phrase “God works in mysterious ways” is used to explain events that are difficult to comprehend. Some may think that it is from scripture, however, it is from a misquoted line in a 1773 hymn by William Cowper. The suggestion is that some actions of the Lord are illogical to us but ultimately result in circumstances beyond our comprehension. The actual line in the song is: “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea. And rides upon the storm.”
The Bible does however reference the mysteries of God in a number of verse:
[Isaiah 55:8-9: ]“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither 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.”
[Romans 8:28:] “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
[Habakkuk 1:5:] “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
[Romans 11:33:] “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”
God’s actions may seem confusing or illogical to humans but serve a larger, ultimately good purpose that is beyond our comprehension. While the exact phrase is not biblical, the underlying sentiment can be found in verses like Romans 11:33, which speaks of God’s judgments being “unsearchable” and his ways “past finding out”.
A King had a male servant who, in all circumstances always said to him; My king, do not be discouraged because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes. One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king, the servant managed to kill the animal but couldn’t prevent his majesty from losing a finger. Furious and without showing gratitude, the King said; if God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger. The servant replied, ‘despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect, He is never wrong’. Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again, God is Good & Perfect.
Another day, the king left alone for another hunt and was captured by savages who use human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages found out that the king didn’t have one finger in place, he was released because he was considered not “complete” to be offered to the gods. On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said, “My friend, God was really good to me. I was almost killed but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question; If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison?” His servant replied, “My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger.”
Everything God does is perfect, He is never wrong and sees the whole picture – the outcome – the end 0f the thing even when it seems disastrous to our human minds. Put your trust in Him and lean not to your own understanding and He will direct your path.