Years ago, when our youngest son was 5, Seth asked during breakfast, “What day is it? Am I going to school today?” “Yes, it’s Tuesday,” my wife answered. An excited smile broke across Seth’s face. “Tuesday?! Today is sharing day!” I asked Seth what he was supposed to share. “Something that begins with the letter D,” he said. I grinned. “Well . . . you could bring . . . Daddy.” “No,” Seth replied matter-of-factly, “you wouldn’t fit in my cubby.”
In Seth’s 5-year-old mind, everything had to fit. Everything had its proper place—and this is a general truth. Whenever we attempt to affix this wisdom to God, however, we make a fundamental mistake. God isn’t like us. He isn’t limited by our universe, by our vision, by our narrow understanding, by our human restrictions. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” He says. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8).
Our linear sense of time doesn’t limit or bind God. God doesn’t confine Himself within our airtight rational categories. He isn’t an answer that can be calculated by our mathematical formulas. While we can know God, we can’t fully understand Him. St. Augustine often insisted that if we think we truly understand God, then we can rest assured that what we understand is in fact not God.
He is the Creator, the One who breathed life into the world and who sustains all creation (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:17). In Jesus and through the Holy Spirit, God is very much present in the world—but He’s by no means contained or restrained by it. That is why we place our hope in God, not in ourselves. God can do what we are entirely unable to do, things beyond anything we can imagine.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 41:1-36
More:
Read Colossians 1:17. How does Paul describe God here? How does this description resist our attempts to confine Him?
Next:
How does this God who is above and beyond us challenge or concern you? How does He comfort you?
Gary Shultz on January 24, 2016 at 6:30 am
Winn, it’s always a challenge and concern for me. I’m concerned, I won’t meet the challenge. I will miss what this great God has for me. Then I find myself boxed again and see God can get it done. Am I ready and willing to be a part? We only get to see small “chunks” of God’s greatness; however, it would seem we get more than enough info on God from His Word to bring us to where He would have us be. Does faith have a limit? Is not God all we need Him to be, even if we can not grasp all that much of Who He really is? I would have to think so as I suppose you do? Getting back to where you were, I am small, and He knows that, He is waaaay great………. keep the door open. Thanks Winn.
Winn Collier on January 24, 2016 at 10:42 am
Thankfully, Gary, there’s lots and lots of grace
Mike Wittmer on January 24, 2016 at 7:33 am
Praise God for His truth revealed in Jesus and Scripture. Though we cannot know Him fully, we do know Him truly. Amazing to consider.
seekaskknock on January 24, 2016 at 9:21 am
To answer the NEXT question,think, think, think. He concerns and challenges me because I love,and want to know him totally. He comforts me because I know he loves me. Thank you for the Daily Journey.
jim spillane on January 24, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Gary and Winn – I once posed that same question to our pastor, “does faith have a limit?” He paused and thought for a moment and replied that our God is ready and willing to make you as holy as you want to be. I am still pondering the profoundness of that answer. Thanx.
gagirllive on January 24, 2016 at 2:35 pm
I am humbled that this infinite and incomprehensible God invites me into fellowship with Him…that Jesus Christ makes that even possible. When I consider His greatness, I realize that I hardly know Him. Yet I am so intimately known by Him. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) Thanks for this good word today, Winn.
Gary Shultz on January 24, 2016 at 8:05 pm
Jim, you are always so kind to my replies. I am scared that we think the same things, but you have supported me in keeping comment moving and bringing replies to the writers that grace us with their work. Some day we will meet, that be a great time. Thanks
Gary Shultz on January 26, 2016 at 6:18 am
Mike, I don’t know if you will get back to see this: however, sometimes I go back and review what has been said in past topics. I find I can gather things I have missed (gleaning) yours was one. What a profound little statement “Though we cannot know Him fully we can know Him truly” That is it isn’t it, a need to know basis founded on love and understanding.