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The Incomprehensible Work of God

 The Incomprehensible Work of God

Throughout history, humanity has sought to understand the vastness of God's work—the intricate design of the universe, the mysteries of life, and the purpose behind creation. Yet, despite our greatest efforts, the Bible reminds us that God's ways are beyond human comprehension. His wisdom, power, and sovereignty surpass our understanding.

God's Ways Are Higher Than Ours

The prophet Isaiah declares this about god:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8-9

This passage emphasizes the vast difference between human reasoning and divine wisdom. The String theory estimates there are 10^500 or more universes. But even the number of universes is limited to what we can actually observe or distinguish and our ability to perceive them or the amount of information we can process. While we may attempt to grasp God's way, His knowledge and purposes extend far beyond our limited perspective.

The Mystery of Creation and Christ

From the very beginning, scripture affirms God's role as the Creator of all things: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1. 

“He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He remains faithful forever.” — Psalm 146:6

These verses highlight God's creative power, and yet they do not fully explain the depth of His work. We marvel at the complexity of the universe, but no human mind can fully comprehend the intricacies of God's creation and work. That faith and love that are infinite surpasses our understanding.  Knowing he is sovereign, “above all, in all, and over all things” aids us in understanding.*  

There is a mystery to the kingdom of God, and in Christ and to the church he has chosen to make it known.* Paul states we are to have a spirit of wisdom and revelation so as to understand this mystery that comes through knowing Jesus.

The Unsearchable Judgments of God

The apostle Paul reflects on the unfathomable wisdom of God:

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” — Romans 11:33

Paul acknowledges that God's decisions and plans surpass humanities capacity to trace out. His judgments are perfect, yet they often remain mysterious to us.

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know?" – Job 11:7-9 

Faith in the Unknown

While we may not fully understand God's work, the Bible calls us to trust in Him:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

Faith does not require complete comprehension; rather, it invites us to rely on God's wisdom, knowing that He is in control. Faith exists hope, and hope is that which is not seen but in which there is an expectation of, so faith sometimes is hoping and waiting on God.*

Trusting God's Work in the Midst of Trials

Life's trials often leave us questioning God's purpose and plan. Yet, scripture reminds us that His ways are beyond our understanding, and even in suffering, He is working for our good.

Trials Test and Strengthen Our Faith. 

James encourages believers to endure trials as opportunities for growth:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance." — James 1:2-3

Though we may not understand why hardships come, God uses them to refine our faith and build endurance. We can know God’s will as the Spirit is meant to guide us into the truth.

“For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” –1 Corinthians 2:11-12

God's Purpose in Suffering Can Be Beyond Our Understanding

Ecclesiastes reminds us that God's work is mysterious:

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." — Ecclesiastes 11:5

Even when trials seem unfair or confusing, we can trust that God is working in ways we cannot see. We can pray for healing, we can pray for the trial to be removed, but what we really need to pray is that we endure, trusting Him through faith. 

God’s purpose for the injustice and persecution might be to reveal his glory. To be obedient to his will is to love someone who wrongs you, which is opposite of how the world acts, thus God might work in that person who wronged you by the grace you give them. 

James states God can give us wisdom to endure if we ask through faith and seek in meekness the implanted word of God that can save our soul and be a lamp unto our path, showing us his will (James 1:2-5). While God’s ways are above our own and some things we may never understand, God calls us into the mysterious, to enlighten our hearts to what he has and is accomplishing through Jesus.

Trials Draw Us Closer to God

In suffering we are to seek God more earnestly:

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." — Psalm 34:17-18

God does not abandon us in trials; instead, He draws near to us when we draw near to him.

Trials Produce Eternal Rewards

Paul reminds us that suffering is temporary compared to the glory to come:

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." — 2 Corinthians 4:17

James explains there is a purpose for the trial,

“Blessed is the man enduring the trial, because he comes into existence proven, receiving the crown of life which was promised to the ones loved of him” – James 1:12

Though we may not understand our trials now, they work to prove us, renew our minds, conforming us to what God eternally purposed in Christ; that we be conformed to the image of his Son who reflects his divine nature.

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." – Psalm 139:6

God's wisdom and works are beyond human comprehension, yet we are called to trust in Him. God doesn’t operate in shadowy ways, he loves us and would not give us a stone when we ask for bread. The enemy wants us to doubt God’s goodness and purpose, to choke out our growth during these times. 

Conclusion

The work of God surpasses human understanding. His ways are higher, His creation is unfathomable, and His wisdom is unsearchable. Yet, Scripture encourages us to trust in Him recognizing that His plans are perfect even when they remain a mystery. In humility, we stand in awe of the Creator, acknowledging that while we may not fully grasp His work, we can rest in His divine wisdom and love. 

We are called to something deeper, to grow in knowledge of Jesus and if we have fellowship with the Son we also have fellowship with the Father. God has chosen to manifest his ways through his Son, through whom we receive all the spiritual blessings from the heavenlies. And through whom we are to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing him more, and the hope of our calling, the riches of his glory, our inheritance, and the surpassing greatness of his power available to us as believers. 

God wants to enlighten our hearts to his purpose and plan to bring all things together in Christ. God calls us into a deep love that surpasses understanding so that we are filled to the fullness of God. He who is the creator of all things, who is above all, and in all, calls us into a knowledge of him through Christ


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