He's wiser than you - August 1st, 2011

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

“For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?”

“Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?”

Romans 11:33-35

History and Context:

For a brief history on the book of Romans as a whole go here. In this particular scripture, Paul is quoting an old testament idea. Verse 34 resembles both Isaiah 40:13 and Jeremiah 23:18. Verse 35 resembles Job 41:11.

The Text:

Earlier in this chapter, Paul went through a deep and complicated discussion about the place of Jews in the new testament and how God views them. He also discusses how we are saved by grace and not through works, but that we also must be careful as we might be replaced in the 'olive tree'. In short, he covers some very difficult to understand concepts and then culinates with this. God is wiser than all of us and who are we to attempt to counsel Him? If we listen to people's conversations we can constantly hear people questioning God. If there is a God, why did He let evil in the world? Why did He give us choice knowing we would use it to go against Him? Why did He choose to do this or that? Why didn't He answer my prayer in the way I wanted Him to? We try to 'counsel' God and let Him know how we would do His job. Sometimes questions are good because they can bring us closer to Him, but often we need to just step back and realize that He is God and I am not. He is perfect and I am imperfect. He is the source of all wisdom and without Him I am foolish.  

The Challenge:

Stop questioning God, at least for today, and simply be amazed by how awesome He is. For a little more discussion on the topic check out this post The Awesomeness of God. Take some time to marvel at who He is and thank Him for knowing the right way to run this world. Be amazed at the fact that He listens to every prayer spoken by billions of people around the world and answers them. He never gives up on us, always loves us and has mercy on us, no matter how much we do against HIm. He is an amazing God!

The Prayer:

Lord, forgive me if I have questioned to much at times. Help me to to quiet down and simply accept who you are, to trust you in your wisdom. Your wisdom is so much beyond my own, for you are the source of my wisdom. Thank you Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen.