Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Romans 11:33
In an orbit between Mars and Jupiter zooms an asteroid worth trillions and trillions of dollars. Scientists say 16 Psyche consists of metals such as gold, iron, nickel, and platinum worth unfathomable amounts of money. For now, earthlings are not attempting to mine this rich resource, but the United States is planning to send a probe to study the valuable rock.
The promise of untold riches just out of reach can be both tantalizing and frustrating. Surely in time there will be people who will champion the cause of reaching 16 Psyche for its treasure.
But what about the prospect of riches that are within our reach? Wouldn’t everyone go for that? Writing to the first-century church at Rome, the apostle Paul spoke of attainable riches—those we find in our relationship with God. He wrote, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33). Bible scholar James Denney described these riches as “the unsearchable wealth of love that enables God to . . . far more than meet the [great needs] of the world.”
Isn’t that what we need—even more than gold nuggets from some far-off asteroid? We can mine the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge found in the Scriptures as the Holy Spirit helps us. May God lead us to dig into those riches and to know and treasure Him more.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the richesy of the wisdom andi knowledge of God!z
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!a
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”j b
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”k c
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.d
To him be the glory forever! Amen.e
INSIGHT
- What does it mean for you to be rich in God’s love?
- How can you dig more for riches that last?
Paul isn’t the first biblical writer to speak of God being unknowable (Romans 11:33–35). Two thousand years earlier, Job (who is believed to have lived around the time of Abraham) asked, “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?” (Job 11:7). The prophet Isaiah aptly summed up our incapacity to fully know God: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). But God desires us to know Him: “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord” (Jeremiah 24:7; see Hebrews 8:10–11). The apostle John tells us that “no one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God . . . has made him known” (John 1:18). Jesus Himself affirmed, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (8:19). Even though we can’t comprehend everything about God, John says everyone who knows Jesus knows Him (17:3).
PRAYER
Father God, help me to seek out Your wisdom and knowledge, Your judgments, and Your paths as I seek to follow You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Romans 11:33-36 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Psalm 81-83 ; Romans 11:19-36
