A Hymn for Reading the Book of Job

Have you ever been delighted when a hymn pops into your mind while you're reading your Bible -- or even sometime later when you least expect it? What a gift from God!

God's plan for hymns is multi-faceted and part of that plan is for "hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs" to help us remember what we read in His Word. It's His Holy Spirit that brings Scripture and hymns to mind when we need them most.

I love those moments! And they've inspired me to do something different this year during my Bible reading time.

While I still fully expect more of those extra special moments when the Holy Spirit brings a hymn to mind, I'm also intentionally matching hymns to each day's Scripture reading.*

My reading plan has me in the book of Job right now and, of course, there's a hymn for that. 

I didn't have to read too far into Job for this hymn to come to mind: William Cowper's God Moves In a Mysterious Way (yes, it's what started the familiar saying, "God moves in mysterious ways."

Let me explain.

The book of Job is all about the most righteous (blameless) man alive at the time and how he endured extreme suffering even though he loved God and had a personal relationship with Him.

His friends fail miserably in their understanding of God and offer their comfortless takes on the situation, too.

And finally God joins the conversation to make it clear that their discourses lack knowledge and the crux of the matter is that He is God and they are not. 

Cowper's hymn calls to mind the wonders of creation that display the power of God and reminds us that even though we, like Job, don't understand what He's doing, we can trust Him because He is God and He is good.

As you read the book of Job and recall your own suffering (past and current), take heart in knowing that God blesses perseverance, has a purpose and is working His good plan even when we can't see it. 

James 5:11 - Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

And read the hymn that matches to help you remember!

* I'm reading through the Blue Letter Bible Chronological Reading Plan which mirrors The Bible Recap Plan. If you're reading one of these or are just interested in my hymn to Scripture matches, l'll be sharing more matches on Instagram and Facebook.

God Moves In a Mysterious Way

by William Cowper, 1774

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill;
He treasures up His bright designs,
and works His sov'reign will.

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 flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
and He will make it plain.