It all makes sense why it doesn't all make sense

A lot of my bloglessness in September came not from an absence of quiet times, but an absense of understanding what I was reading. When I really went in depth into Romans 9 - 11, there was a lot of theology that I had a hard time sorting out. It got to the point where it was a little frustrating, but then I hit the summary by Paul in Romans 11:33-36:

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “ For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “ Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

The morning that I turned the page and read these three verses was a huge moment. Four things that really hit home:

1. It seemed that Paul--the author, the one to whom this was divinely inspired--couldn't figure it out either! At least I was in good company.

2. In my struggles through chapters 9-11, I often found myself questioning God and being frustrated with how He had set things out. So, it was good and humbling to be reminded in v. 34-35 that I have nothing to add to God but praise.

3. Maybe the purpose of not being able to grasp everything is an issue of trust. If I could fully know and understand everything about God, would I really be trusting? Following Him even when I can't understand Him--that is trust.

4. The chapter ends with v.36 stating that all things (whether I can understand them or not) are created by God, sustained by God, and for God's glory.

I closed my Bible that day no longer worried about what it all meant, but satisfied knowing that the bottom line is that all glory goes to God--that makes sense.