A follow-on to yesterday’s post. In his exposition of Philippians 4:6-7, Dr. Carson provides this hymn as an encouragement to us to trust God and not be anxious:

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.

William Cowper, God Moves in a Mysterious Way, quoted in Basics for Believers on p. 112-113.

Is there a “frowning providence” in your life? A situation that is difficult or anxiety-inducing? Remember that behind that frowning providence is God’s smiling face: the situation is custom-designed by God to help you to “trust him for his grace.”

Categories: five15 blog