Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?


Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. -Romans 11:33-36 NLT


This passage screams one word to me - trust. By that, I am not referring to some sort of pie-in-the-sky positive thinking - albeit positiveness is a good thing. I am also not making reference to an ignorant hope that believes things will get better - often things get worse. The trust I am speaking to is the belief that God is wise, good and loving. Trusting in God is really not about us but is one hundred percent about Him - his love, sovereignty, power and understanding.

Sometimes people use these verses saying that we cannot know why God has done something. Often they are told that God is the one who, as Job whined, "gives and takes away". These believe that He is the author of troubles as well as blessings. I find it hard to trust God when he is painted that way. Better that we understand that trouble comes because He has delegated sovereignty to nations, groups and people. No need to blame God for our pain. He is Love.

With Paul we agree Lord - we are intended for your glory. Please lead us in ways that glorify you today.


2 comments:

  1. I was just reading in Deuteronomy this morning about the cities of refuge. I began to wonder about this very thing. He is sovereign, but does seem to give us much freedom.

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    Replies
    1. I think of it as delegated sovereignty Ma. Not sure that God ever wanted his people to have a sovereign other than himself yet this is often what people want.

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