I’ve decided to do a little more to bridge the gap between my writing ministry and my ministry here at First Baptist Jasper. To this end I’ll occasionally post sermons that I’ve preached in the past that I believe may be helpful to others.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “God works in mysterious ways”? That phrase likely comes from a hymn by William Cowper:
1. God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
2. Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
5. His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
6. Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
God does indeed work in mysterious ways. This is evidenced not only by the life of William Cowper but also in the biblical story of Esther. In Esther 2 we see God uses unsuspecting things to accomplish his purposes.
1. He uses the ungodly desires of Xerxes to accomplish His purposes.
2. He uses the muddy obedience of Esther and Mordecai to accomplish His purposes.
So what do we do with this? What do we do with God using unsuspecting means to accomplish His purposes? What does this mean for our lives today? Here is what I did in preaching through Esther 2:
