ROMANS 11:33-36 GIVING HONOR TO GOD How wise and carefully designed are the plans of God and the carrying out of those amazing purposes for the blessing of all mankind! God made us for Himself; not as mindless senseless robots, but as part of His creation that could respond willingly to His love, acts of grace and mercy of our own volition. In His sovereign will He chose Israel and did not cast them off completely when they refused and ignored His will and His Son. He temporarily set them aside and at the same time, chose from them by His sovereign electing grace, a remnant who would be part of His heavenly people - the Church. Israelis were the foundation and as time passed, were formed as living stones in the building. Even though these are the "times of the Gentiles," God still has plans for the nation to be grafted again into the root of the faith of Abraham and flourish again.
No philosophy or design of intelligent men could ever have conceived such an all-encompassing plan as a way to bring people who can make choices, into fellowship and harmony with the Almighty Creator. He is the Supreme Ruler of the universe, He is the Righteous, Eternal God - and we can know Him! Right at the beginning of mans' history there was fellowship followed by failure but a means of acceptance was made because of the substitution of an innocent victim. Then on the basis of Abraham's faith in God, blessing was provided for all the nations of the earth. The faith-principle was established and it pleased God. Years later the nation formed from Abraham's seed turned away from their privileged position to copy the Gentile nations. They began to interpret the God law gave them in their own way to suit their own purposes. When their promised Messiah came to them, they rejected Him and remain cut off from national blessing until this day. But God will fulfill His promises to them as His earthly people through whom all Gentile nations will again be blessed.
No one can know the infinite mind of God. No one can ever give any advice to God about His ways, His works or the wonders of His wisdom. We might learn a few things about our Infinite God, but even that is only as He is willing to reveal them. Everything that exists is "of Him." He is the Cause and the Source of everything that is. "Through Him" everything works bringing the effect He desires. He is the Sustainer and Upholder of all things. Everything is for Him to fulfill His eternal purposes. How can we ever describe, or even attempt to describe, our God! This is impossible!
But as a Gentile who has been brought in and grafted into the root of the faith of Abraham, I have been brought into the place of blessing as a member of Christ's Body. I know Israel has been broken off while we who are strangers have been brought in. But now it seems our times of blessing are about passed. So- called Christians have set about to do the same as unbelieving Israel did. Forms, traditions, ego-building ideas have been substituted for repentance of sin, faith in Christ alone, and heart-felt gratitude for the grace of God that has been shown to us. We (the Church of God) have not taken the place of Israel, and never will. But Christendom has gone so far from God's plan that there is no way we Gentiles can escape the judgment of God!
I know I cannot describe God nor understand His infinite Person. But I have experienced His grace, His mercy and His love. I know He is perfect in wisdom and justice. I know He is the Source of all things physical, moral and eternal - and even of us as human beings. I know He has done all things well and through all that has been brought into being, displays the perfections of His glory. I know He enables me to glorify Him in my body and spirit which He has purchased with the blood of Christ. I know Him, speak to Him, enjoy Him and love Him. He is my God, my Father, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord and Master, my Priest, my King - all glory and praise, all honor and blessing be to my God forever and ever!
It is far beyond my ability to define Him or to bring, The praises, honor and glory that are deserved for my Lord and King. But I know He knows my thoughts - even the things I cannot say - And I believe He understands that I to Him my homage pay.
All praise belongs to Him who chose to make me live. He has preserved my life each day and to Him I give My thanks and adoration for His faithfulness in the past - And by His grace I hope to daily praise Him as long as my life shall last.
All honor belongs to Him who is the Highest of the high. Earth is His footstool, the carpet of His floor, the sky. There is none who can compare, He is the God of eternity. All power in all the universe is His, for life and death He has the key.
All worship belongs to Him who is limitless in His being. He is omnipotent and omniscient - is everywhere all things seeing. He hears beyond the words I say, knows beyond my thoughts. He is willing and glad to speak to me, and sees beyond my faults.
All authority belongs to Him, He made everything and maintains The orbits of the stars and atoms, there is power in His name. Kings and kingdoms, nations and people owe existence unto Him. By virtue of His authority, He had power to forgive sins.
Life and breath and everything we need to stay alive - Comes from the Source of life, He knows when I will die. I rest in the "unknowable," I don't need to worry or understand All about everything for I am kept by divine hands.
It rest in peace and confidence, the Eternal God is my Father. Much about Him I'll never know, but from what I know, I gather The information that assures me everything is under control. To Him who holds everything in place, I give the keeping of my soul.
"Father in heaven, I am not being so presumptuous as to try to describe Thee. It is just that it seemed right this morning to dwell on the riches of Thy glory and Thy
Person. In reverence and respect, I bow my heart to honor Thee today and give Thee praise and glory in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."