Beyond Our Understanding

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? 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, (Romans 11:33-36).

This passage is known as a doxology, which is really a fancy term for a song of praise. Paul wrote this doxology in Romans 11 because of the splendor of God's revelation through Jesus. In the first part of Romans 11, Paul describes our relationship as a church, the body of Christ, and our being grafted into it. His mercy is abounding.

Paul praises God for the depth of His wisdom and how unsearchable, in our human minds, His wisdom, judgments, and knowledge are. Romans 11:33 is powerful and important for us to understand: God is infinite, the Creator of the universe, and we will not know everything this side of heaven. We can never fully know the Lord's mind. When questions arise, we can seek answers while trusting the truth of His Word, even when our understanding is incomplete.

God has given us breath, life, and adoption through Jesus into His eternal family; what can we give Him that would repay Him? Nothing. Jesus paid it all at the cross. All things come from Him and through Him, and all things belong to Him. We spend a lot of time in Christian and non-Christian circles debating God's wisdom. Christians and non-Christians alike ask the same questions: Is God real? If God is real, why do bad things happen? People question Jesus and the cross, and theologians study God’s word for countless hours, yet still fall short of full knowledge. Why? Because God is God and we are not. Paul responds to the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge with praise—not because we can fully trace His judgments, but because His understanding exceeds our own.

We are to have faith. It is okay to question and seek answers, but God will not reveal some answers until the time is right. In the meantime, we need to trust and walk in faith, recognizing our Creator's infinite wisdom and knowledge.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that You are a God of wisdom, knowledge, grace, and mercy. We praise You that no one can trace Your judgments! Father, we can never fully know Your mind, but we have Your Truth in Scripture. Your Spirit within us guides us, shields us, and Jesus intercedes on our behalf. Thank you, Father, for Your great love. In Jesus ' name we pray, Amen.