God Alone Is Wise

One of the more common phrases used by the apostle Paul in his praise to God was, “To God who alone is wise, be glory and honor forever and ever” (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 16:27). Jude also praised God for His wisdom (Jude 25). What did they see in God that provoked them to give God the glory of being the only one with true wisdom?

They saw God’s will as the product of wisdom and skill beyond comparison. Paul’s exclamation of God’s wisdom came mostly after his considering God’s plan to save man. In a portion of his letter to the Romans, Paul explained in detail how the Gentiles were blessed with salvation through God’s abolition of the Jewish system of worship (see Rom. 11:11-32). In ending the Law of Moses, God not only provided salvation to the Gentiles, He also produced a situation that could unite Jew and Gentile into one body as well as test the faith of the Jews. The Jews took pride in being set apart from the Gentiles through the law of Moses. The law was given by God to reveal sin and its consequences. And yet, the very law that divided the Jews and Gentiles also produced the Messiah by whom both could be saved. By dissolving the law of Moses, God produced a situation that provided salvation to the Gentiles, humility for the Jews, and faith and godliness in both. What wisdom! What understanding! What a God! It is with this understanding that Paul exclaimed in Romans 11:33-36:

"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! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

Our God is a God of great wisdom and understanding—capable of saving us and blessing us in this world and in the next. This should convince us to trust Him enough to follow His word faithfully, giving our heart solely to Him. The ways in which He guides us through His word are ways that are for our ultimate good and well-being. No man can give us the counsel of eternal wisdom, for in God “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). No man can improve upon God’s system of salvation, worship and the church, for “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). All wisdom stems from His infinite wisdom (Psa. 147:5).

Praise God! For every good and perfect gift flows from His wisdom and forethought, without which we wouldn’t be here today. The only reason we exist is because of God’s insightful planning and power—who alone is wise!

By Mike Thomas

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