God's Smiling Face

Today I begin my blogspot by pointing to one of the attributes of God that has anchored me throughout my Christian pilgrimage. It's a great comfort to know that God is sovereign over all, that indeed behind the dark providences of life God is at work accomplishing His purposes.  The Lord assures us in Romans 8:28 that indeed "all things" are working together for the good to those who love the Lord. 
 
One of my favorite lines is from a poem by William Cowper who himself suffered some dark providences.  He understood that there was a certain mystery to God's ways but He knew that behind it all God smiles on those He loves.  Yes, God uses suffering in the lives of those he loves to perfect us and fulfill his purposes through us.  The poem reads:

"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."

The best place where we see God's smiling face in a dark providence is on the cross of Christ.  There Christ suffered for our sins.  It was the will of God for Christ to be our substitute.  In that dark moment God smiled for his justice and wrath toward sin was satisfied. Isaiah 53:11 says, "As a result of the anguish of His (Christ's) soul, He will see it and be satisfied."   All those who have trusted Christ have the smile of God upon their lives for we know that we are no longer under any condemnation.  We can be assured that he who began a good work in us will be faithful to perform it until the day of Christ (Phil. 1:6). 

Be encouraged today knowing that God is back of the storm and as He works His sovereign will, He smiles!