What're My God Ordains is Right

Originally posted on 8/29/2010

As I prepare for the Sunday Morning service in Bujumbura (my last full day of ministry here), my mind is busy, occupied with the duties large and small of the next 24 hours. Yet in the background, like the calming rhythm of the ocean's tide, runs the words to a very old hymn. 

Samuel Rodigast, wrote these words in 1676  to cheer his friend Gastorus, who had become seriously ill. Gastorius not only recovered, but went on to write the tune for Rodigast’s words. For those interested, Indelible Grace has gone on to write a new tune to this hymn. Unfortunately, their rendition omits verses three and four. I have included them below. 

Whether your taste runs to the new tune or old, it matters not. These words are a comfort to me. I hope they will be to you as well.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my Physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my Friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

Amen and Amen.