Good morning. Today is Friday, August 14th!

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Romans 11:33

You’ve probably heard the phrase “God works in mysterious ways” so many times that you might think it’s a Bible verse.

It’s not. But the idea behind it is very biblical.

The phrase comes from William Cowper, an English poet and hymn writer who lived in the 1700s. In 1773, he wrote a hymn that began:

“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

Over time, that line became the saying we know today.

But what does it actually mean when we say God’s ways are mysterious?

It doesn’t mean God is confused or unpredictable. They’re mysterious to us because we only know a small part of what God knows.

The Bible actually describes God this way.

Paul writes, “How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33).

That phrase, “beyond tracing out,” is important. Paul had just spent several chapters explaining God’s enormous plan of salvation, involving Israel, the Gentiles, mercy, judgment, and ultimately God’s faithfulness. After trying to explain all of that, Paul basically stops and admits that there are depths to God’s decisions that we simply cannot reach.

Psalm 77 gives us a picture of the same idea:

“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen” (Psalm 77:19).

It’s talking about the Red Sea.

Before God divided the water, nobody standing there could see a path. There was an army behind Israel and a sea in front of them. Yet looking back, the psalmist calls it God’s path.

The path was there in God’s plan before Israel could see it.

That’s really what this quote is getting at.

Sometimes we understand later. Jesus even told Peter, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).

And sometimes we may never fully understand. Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”

So “God works in mysterious ways” doesn’t mean we should slap that phrase onto every bad thing that happens and pretend we know why God allowed it.

It means we can admit that sometimes we simply don’t know what God is doing.

And that’s okay.

So know this: The God who made a path through the sea doesn’t need us to see the path before He can lead us through it.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: God, Your ways are higher than mine, and You see what I cannot.

Confession: Forgive me for doubting You when I don’t understand what You’re doing.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for being faithful even when Your path is hidden from me.

Supplication: Help me trust You when I can’t see where You’re leading.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Belief” by Jervis Campbell

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God