God is Working!

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 sovereign 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 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")

18th-century English poet and hymn writer,

friend to John Newton

"God is always at work in every era, in every circumstance, in every season, in every situation of life. God is doing a work in our day.  God is always at work. Even when it appears that He is silent, that He is passive, that He is absent. Even when we cannot see what He is doing. Even when we do not know what He is doing, God is at work.  Whether you can see it or not, God is at work.  Take heart. Have faith. Be encouraged. God is at work."  Nancy Leigh DeMoss

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." (ESV)

John 5:17  “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”  (ESV)

Isaiah 50:10 "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His servant?  Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the Name of the LORD and rely on his God."  (ESV)

"God is saying to His servants—Habakkuk and His other people—“Broaden your perspective. Look among the nations and see.” God is saying, “Your vision is not big enough. You’ve been too centered in on your own specific circumstances and situation. You need to look among the nations. Your view is too narrow.”

You see, so often we can only see our little piece of the whole picture. We see our health, our issues, our family, our church, our country, our circumstances; and we get totally engrossed in what is happening to us. You know why? Because we live as if it’s all about me. That’s our perspective. We have this self-centered, myopic perspective on life. It’s all about what’s happening to me. It’s all about how it affects me.

But God is saying, “Lift your eyes up and see the bigger picture. Don’t be so consumed with your own personal situation.”  (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

To read more of Nancy's wisdom on this matter, go to her teaching on Habakkuk at www.reviveourhearts.com.  The information above comes specifically from her October 7th teaching.