October 2006   

Over a century ago an anonymous Confederate soldier took time out from the horrors of the Civil War to describe the surprising and even baffling ways of God. This nameless man had come to a deep understanding that the God of heaven is not bound by any of our ideas about how life on earth should unfold. He wrote:   I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for‑but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed. How can we do anything but marvel at the unforeseen ways God takes the venom of hell and transforms it into the balm of Gilead? And how can we respond in any other way than to fall at His holy feet in astonished wonder and proclaim with the apostle:-    Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.   S. Halliday