William Cowper, British
poet and scholar (1731-1800) suffered from occasional bouts of deep depression
and doubt. One night, when he was in a dark mood of deep despair, he left his
home, determined to end his life by jumping into the River Thames in England.
That night the city of London was covered with an unusually heavy fog and Mr. Cowper, who was searching to find the river, lost his way and wandered aimlessly. After a long while, he saw a distant light and proceeded towards it. He was surprised to reach the doorstep of a house. The light was burning brightly within the house and the front door was open as if to welcome the wandering William. He soon realized that it was his own home and that God had mercifully brought him back to safety. Entering his room he wrote a beautiful poem in praise of the living Lord by whose loving grace he could return to his own residence. The first lines of the hymn are as follows:
That night the city of London was covered with an unusually heavy fog and Mr. Cowper, who was searching to find the river, lost his way and wandered aimlessly. After a long while, he saw a distant light and proceeded towards it. He was surprised to reach the doorstep of a house. The light was burning brightly within the house and the front door was open as if to welcome the wandering William. He soon realized that it was his own home and that God had mercifully brought him back to safety. Entering his room he wrote a beautiful poem in praise of the living Lord by whose loving grace he could return to his own residence. The first lines of the hymn are as follows:
"God moves in a
mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm...."
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm...."
(‘Light Shining out of Darkness’, Olney Hymns,
published in 1779)
God, our loving Father is ready to rescue us
during times of despair and depression. He protects us in the shelter of His
infinite love and kindly leads us to the place of safety, security and serenity.
Our efficiency turns out to be a deficiency unless we have God's sufficiency to
support us.
...........................................................................................................
© By Dr. Babu Philip,
Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue,
Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu,
Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John,
Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507,
Kerala, India.
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