“Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.”
(Job 37:23)
God alone is sovereign, which means He is King of kings and Lord of lords, with power and rule over all. Nothing in the whole of His creation happens without He wills it to happen… before it happens and in the way that it happens. As Isaiah 46:9-10 states, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” It is moreover apparent from the works of Creation, that this glorious GOD is an Omnipotent Being.[1]
Said another way, God determines and knows the future because He plans the future and He accomplishes what He plans. Therefore, whatever happens is the purpose of God being performed by God. This explains why we can trust His Word. What is prophesied in His Word is God’s statement of what He will bring to pass, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
Because He alone is God, He alone holds the ultimate authority. This means everything He accomplishes is inherently good and just, even when we cannot see or understand how or why. One example of this truth that lies beyond our total grasp is the doctrine of election—why God chooses to save some and not others.
However, this example simply emphasizes the fact that God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, has not only the right, but also the power to choose or refuse according to His own purposes. As Jeremiah 18:6 states, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”
In fact, the wisdom and ways of God are so far beyond our own understanding that Scripture compares ours to that of the beasts of the field. As Psalm 73:22 states, “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” Just as an animal cannot grasp human reasoning, we cannot expect to understand God’s infinite knowledge and purposes.
But despite our challenges in understanding His ways, we must remember that His will is the standard of righteousness. Further, it is not ours to question what He does. Whatever God does is good because He is good. The psalmist declares in Psalm 145:17, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” We are to simply trust His goodness and justice, even when we cannot see the reasons behind His actions.
Contemplations:
- The Unsearchable Wisdom of God. Reflecting on Job 37:23, I’m reminded of God’s infinite wisdom compared to my very limited understanding. If I am to know true wisdom then I must diligently seek Him, the source of all wisdom. This reality also reminds me to stay humble, recognizing that there are divine secrets that will always be beyond my comprehension.
- Trusting God’s Sovereignty. Both Romans 9:20-21 and Romans 11:33-34 affirm that God’s decisions are made according to His will and purpose, and that it is not my place to question His divine plan. As His child, however, I am called to trust and then rest in His sovereignty, knowing that all His works are righteous and just.
- God’s Superior Wisdom. Isaiah 55:8-9 states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s superior wisdom calls me to trust His divine plan, regardless of whether I understand it or not. For His knowledge far surpasses my own, and I should rest in the assurance that He knows what is best.
- Embracing Humility Before God. Psalm 73:22 reminds me that just as an animal cannot comprehend human reasoning, I cannot grasp God’s infinite wisdom and purposes. I should, therefore, pursue humility before God, yielding my will and desires to Him and trusting in His perfect guidance, wisdom, and love.
Prayer (Thanksgiving):
O Lord, You are the sovereign King, whose majesty and mystery reign over all, as Job 37:23 declares: “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.” I thank You for Your infinite wisdom, ordaining all things, as Isaiah 46:9-10 proclaims: “I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning… My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” Your power and justice guide every moment, and I praise You for Your sovereignty over all.
I am grateful for Your righteous ways, as Psalm 145:17 affirms: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” And though my understanding is limited, Your grace invites me to simply trust You.
I praise You for Your Word, which reveals Your sovereignty and guides me to trust Your plan. And I thank You for Your love, ensuring justice and goodness in all You do.
Let my life be a song of gratitude, proclaiming Your sovereign love. For You are my King, my Creator, and my joy.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Job 37:23:
Job 11:7, Rom. 11:33, Lam. 3:33, 1 Tim. 6:16.
[1] Jonathan Dickinson, The Reasonableness of Christianity, in Four Sermons, (Boston: N.E.: S. Kneeland and T. Green, for Samuel Gerrish at the lower end of Cornhill, 1732), 23.
