Romans 11:33-36 reads:

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

This passage is often referred to as the greatest doxology in all of Scripture. Paul is worshiping, acknowledging that God’s wisdom, knowledge and judgments are beyond our intellectual capacity. This is in response to one of the most mysterious aspects of the redemptive plan: the hardening o”f the Jews. God’s chosen people, the Jews, rejected Jesus, the Messiah, and their hearts became hardened.

Martin Lloyd-Jones explains that God’s hardening of the Jews was a purposeful part of His divine plan. This hardening, though temporary, paved the way for the inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation, highlighting God’s wisdom and justice. It serves as a reminder of the depth of God’s redemptive work and His mercy, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating the complexity of His saving plan. Ultimately, this should lead us to worship and humility before the inscrutable ways of God.

So here we are, facing another profound and complex truth in Scripture. As a child of God, how does this lead you to worship? Your heart has been softened to receive the Gospel, meaning God has come to dwell inside you. In these moments, the Holy Spirit of God points you to Christ, as that is his primary mission. As you read this passage, it causes you to admire the mystery of the triune God and the Gospel, reminding you of His “otherness” and infinite wisdom.

For me, it reminds me of the gap that existed between God and me. It reminds me of the hard heart, stubborn mind and dead spirit I was born with and how they have all been redeemed and renewed for the sake of Christ. It reminds me that, despite the depth, breadth and complexity of God’s word, He gave me grace and wisdom to understand enough of it, which led me to call on the name of our Lord because I wanted to be delivered from sin. I wanted forgiveness. I wanted to be new. I wanted to belong to Him and be reconciled to Him. It reminds me that when something doesn’t make sense, like His choice to save me, it’s a call to worship Him.It reminds me that, as His word declares, because God is sovereign over everything—even the things that seem incomprehensible—everything is ultimately from Him.

Therefore, I can worship through all circumstances, knowing that everything is part of His divine plan. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).

As you reflect on this, take a moment to remember the state you were in before knowing God as Father. You might have once wondered, “Who is this God, and why is He doing this?” 

But now, in your redeemed state, you ask and answer like this:

“Who is this King of Glory? Jesus is His name. He came and redeemed my story. Now everything has changed. All hail the King of Glory. Forever He shall reign.”

Embrace this truth and let it stir you to worship. Reflect on the dramatic transformation from doubt to devotion, recognizing the work God has accomplished in your life. Come, let us adore the King of Glory, who reigns eternally. May we be filled with awe and thanksgiving.