Reflecting on God’s Divine Will (again)

This hymn returns to my thoughts often and always gives me more to consider.

Whate’er my God ordains is right His holy will abideth
I will be still whate’er He does and follow where He guideth
He is my God, though dark my road He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all, and so 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 has sent His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day, and patiently I wait His day

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 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 and so to Him I leave it all

Author: Samuel Rodigast (1675); Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)

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“Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right” is a hymn that draws us into the depths of faith, calling us to trust in God’s sovereign will, especially since we can’t see the full picture. It’s easy to say, “I trust God,” but the real test comes when life takes unexpected or painful turns. This hymn reminds me of the profound truth that God’s ways are not our ways, and His plans are always good, even when we don’t understand them.

The line, “Whate’er my God ordains is right,” reflects the teaching in Isaiah 55:8-9, where God declares, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways… as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.” It’s a humbling reminder that God’s wisdom surpasses our limited understanding. We might not always grasp why certain things happen, but we can be sure that nothing is outside His control, and nothing is wasted in His plan.

When we sing the words of this hymn, we’re not just saying that God is in control; we’re also affirming that His decisions are always perfect and just. Romans 8:28 assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” This is more than a comforting phrase—it’s a promise grounded in God’s character. It doesn’t mean that everything will feel good or make sense at the moment, but it does mean that God is always working for our ultimate good, even through trials.

The hymn also echoes the faith of Job, who, after losing everything, declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). Job’s trust in God wasn’t based on his circumstances or feelings; it was rooted in a deep conviction that God was righteous, even when life seemed to fall apart. This kind of trust is what the hymn calls us to—a trust that says, “Even if I don’t understand, even if this hurts, I will trust that God knows what He’s doing.”

There’s a line in the hymn that says, “He never will deceive me; He leads me by the proper path.” This reminds me of Psalm 23:3, “He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” Sometimes those paths take us through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), but even there, God’s presence and guidance are sure. The hymn invites us to rest in the assurance that wherever God leads, it is the right path—even if it’s a hard one.

The hymn doesn’t leave us in a place of blind resignation. It calls us to active faith, rooted in the knowledge of God’s character. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Even in times of suffering or confusion, God’s faithfulness is unwavering. His love sustains us, and His mercies are unending and waiting for us each morning we awake.

Perhaps the most powerful truth this hymn points us to is the example of Jesus Christ. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as He faced the cross, Jesus prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Even in His agony, Jesus submitted Himself fully to the Father’s will, trusting that God’s plan—though it involved immense suffering—was right and would bring about salvation. The cross is the ultimate display of God’s ability to bring good out of the worst circumstances. If God can bring life from death, how much more can He work in the difficulties we face?

Romans 5:3-5 reminds us, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts.” This is the hope we cling to when we sing, “Whate’er my God ordains is right.” It’s not a hope based on fleeting emotions, but a hope anchored in God’s unchanging promises.

Ultimately, this hymn calls us to surrender—to give up the need for control or clarity and to rest in the knowledge that God’s will is perfect. Proverbs 3:5-6 invites us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” It’s an invitation to let go of our limited perspective and trust that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, is leading us where we need to go.

“Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right” brings me back to the cross, to the reality that God’s greatest act of redemption came through suffering. If He can turn the horror of the cross into the hope of resurrection, He can turn my struggles, my fears, and my uncertainties into something beautiful. The hymn reminds me to lift my eyes beyond my immediate circumstances and trust that God’s will is always good—whether or not I can see it in the moment.

This hymn encourages me to live out the truth of Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace that comes from trusting in God’s sovereignty transcends our understanding—it’s a peace rooted in the assurance that whate’er our God ordains, truly is right.