The Time Of Our Greatest Praise To God
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesWilliam Cowper, the 19th-century English poet and hymnwriter, struggled with recurring bouts of depression throughout his life. Perhaps that’s why his hymns still touch us deeply during times when our life seems to be spinning out of control.
One of Cowper’s best-known hymns, “God Moves In A Mysterious Way,” contains these encouraging words:
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
We often imagine that the triumphal songs of faith were penned by people who had already overcome their struggles. But the Psalmist reminds us that the anguished cries of “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” sometimes occur in almost the same breath as, “My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:1; Psalm 13:5-6).
In every struggle “” whether mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual “” our challenge is to move from the fear of being overwhelmed to the confidence that Christ has overcome (John 16:33; cf. 1 John 4:4).
Are we facing dark clouds of doubt and fear today? Take courage! Our greatest praise to God may be sung during the darkest days of our life (cf. Acts 16:19-25).