Mysterious Ways

“God works in mysterious ways.” We have all heard this phrase at some point. Sometimes it is genuine and heartfelt. At other times it is harsh and sarcastic. This phrase seems to be a universal idiom, transcending theological borders and denominations. It is used by the redeemed and unredeemed alike; by Calvinists and Arminians, Charismatics and Cessationists, Baptists and Episcopalians. What does it really mean, though?

When I think of a mystery, I think of the board game Clue. The object of the game is to slowly gain clues in an attempt to solve the murder mystery. Each bit of information gained is another piece of the puzzle. Each player searches for the hidden truth behind the mystery until one enlightened player victoriously announces “Col. Mustard in the billiard room with the candlestick.” Case closed, mystery solved.

God’s will is not this type of mystery. It is true that our ways are not His ways, and that His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The gospel message is also referred to as a mystery (Mark 4:11, Eph. 6:19, Col. 4:3). It is not s Clue type mystery though. His will is not a hidden treasure to be searched for or a riddle to be solved. God’s will is a mystery to us because of our intrinsic ignorance. We just ain’t smart enough, wise enough, big enough, omniscient enough, or eternal enough. That is why we must rely on God’s self-revelation (aka The Bible). We lack the proper perspective and insight to always see and understand God’s will and His working. Therefore, God’s sovereignty and will seem mysterious to us. God intended it that way. We are to walk by faith and not by sight (2Corinthians 5:7). Our faith is to be firmly rooted in God’s will revealed to us in His word.

God’s will is not a mystery for us to try and solve. It is not a lost set of keys that we must find in order to unlock happiness and blessings. It’s not an algebra equation where we must solve for x. We can’t buy a vowel and solve the puzzle. We are to simply be obedient to what is clearly defined in Scripture as God’s will.

²⁹ “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29, New King James Version)

For His glory,
DJ