Job used this phrase in chapter 26 as he viewed man’s frailty and God’s majesty. As he grapples with what God is doing in his life, he exclaims in verse 14, Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?
A study on the ways of God is a big study indeed, but today, we will consider just a few key points.
1. The totality of His ways are beyond human understanding. 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!(Rom. 11:33) Paul makes this statement in dealing with the hard-to-grasp truth about how God deals with Israel and the Gentiles. In the next verse, he quotes from Isaiah and Jeremiah: For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? Have you ever tried to counsel God? It is easy to do. I have been guilty of this folly.
2. He wants us to know more and more of His ways. In Psalm 103, as David praises the Lord for His mercies, he notes in verse 4 that the LORD made known His waysto Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. David goes on to list more of His ways.
3. The Lord shows us His ways in His Word. In Isaiah 55:7, we see this call: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Verses 8-9 speak of God’s ways being higher than ours as the heaven is higher than the earth, but then verses 10-11 proceed to explain how His Word comes to us, as the rain comes from heaven to earth. His Word will not return void, but will accomplish God’s task in us.
4. We need to ask God to show us His ways, as Moses and David did. Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. (Ex. 33:13a) Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. (Ps. 25:4-5) He delights in us forsaking our ways to walk in His ways!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Keith Neds
