“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:6-11
Have you ever found yourself struggling to understand why something happened?
Why did God do this or allow that?
We all do it. In the end, though, we must remember that God isn’t us and He doesn’t think like us. His ways are not our ways.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For 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
Often, we get in trouble when we try to explain God or, worse yet, defend Him. When we start speaking where God has stayed silent, we are on unstable ground. This isn’t always easy, especially for pastors. People have questions. We have questions. Yet, we cannot speak where God has not spoken.
Yet, God has revealed Himself to us in His Word so we can understand some of what He has done and why, especially that He has saved us by the death and resurrection of His Son. God gave us His Word not to explain all the mysteries of life or even the mysteries of Himself, but so that we would be saved.
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:30-31
Worldly wisdom won’t get that, but by the power of His Spirit we can believe it. May we stay silent where God is silent. May we speak where God speaks. May we hear Him and believe.
Amen!
Heavenly Father,
You have not told us all there is to know. Truthfully, we could not fathom all Your knowledge and wisdom. You have, however, revealed Your salvation to us. Open our hearts to receive faith. Help us to believe You in all that You have said and to trust You where You have not spoken.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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