Trusting The God We Don’t Fully Know

UNSHAKEABLE: There is a whole lot more to God that we don’t understand than what we do understand! The truth is, when you delve into some of the deep and mysterious truths of God in scripture, it can get a little intimidating, if not downright scary, and for sure, unsettling. But here is a rule of thumb when you get to the mysterious, confusing, unsettling things you are reading and you are a little overwhelmed: You can always trust God! He is good, all the time — and you can take that to the bank! And although he is too deep to always explain himself to us, we can be assured that he is too kind to ever be cruel and too wise to ever make a mistake.

Unshakeable Living // Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.

There is a lot in Romans 11 that, quite frankly, is impossible to get your brain around! For instance:

• how God hardened Israel’s heart (Rom 11:7-10)
• election and the full number of the Gentiles (Rom 11:7,25,28)
• how God uses the misfortunes of some to create blessings for others (Rom 11:12,30-31)
• how God is using his kindness to the Gentiles to create jealousy in the Jews (Rom 11:11)
• how God has bound all men over to disobedience so he can show mercy to them all (Rom 11:32)

Huh? Give you a headache? Yeah — me, too! I can understand, after all those mind-teasing theologies, why Paul exclaims,

No one can explain the things God decides or understand his ways. (Rom 11:33, NCV)

Yes, there is a whole lot more to God that we don’t understand than what we do understand! So if you ever run into someone who thinks and talks like they have God all figured out, you are probably listening to a spiritual egghead! The truth is, when you delve into some of these deep and mysterious truths, it can get a little intimidating, if not downright scary and unsettling. But here is a rule of thumb when you get to stuff like this and you are a little overwhelmed:

You can always trust God!

God is good, all the time — you can take that to the bank! And although he is too deep to always explain himself to us, we can be assured that he is too kind to ever be cruel and too wise to ever make a mistake.

I like how the Message translates these verses on the mysterious ways of God—I think they not only shed some needed light on this matter, but they graciously provide us with a whole lot of comfort as well:

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Having trouble figuring God out? I get you! But here is what I am committed to; what I am staking my whole eternity on: Everything ends up in him…always glory…always praise!

I would encourage you to go with that, too!