Unfathomables

The deepest part of the ocean is an oceanic trench that is larger than the Grand Canyon! It’s a place of wonder, mystery, and unfathomable depths; it’s called the Mariana Trench. The sheer depth of the Mariana Trench dwarfs even the legendary height of Mount Everest. (AmericanOceans.org)

When I think of the word “unfathomable”, I think of how boats and ships use their depth finders to sound out the depths of the ocean. It is mind-boggling to me to think that in the Mariana Trench, they’ve only been able to ascertain that it is deeper than 36,000 feet! They have not been able to find the bottom of it yet!

In the same way, Isaiah is proclaiming that when it comes to the Spirit (mind) of the Lord, it is immeasurable! He repeats this truth when he says, “his understanding no one can fathom.” (verse 28) It is beyond our comprehension!

From the beginning, when God in all of his wisdom created the earth and people, no one taught or instructed him in how to do it. God’s wisdom and understanding is unfathomable! His was the intellect behind the “hanging of the stars”:

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name. (verse 26)

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. (verse 28)

God doesn’t need a counselor to help him to sort out his problems! (How to deal with the problem of sin, for instance):

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding? (verse 14)

Our finite minds cannot sound out the depths of God’s wisdom and understanding. It is bottomless, even more so than the Mariana Trench (which probably does have a final depth)!

Father God, thank you for your wisdom and understanding which, overwhelming surpass my own depths of understanding! Help me to trust your plan for me today and not to question what you are doing. Amen.

Throughout this day: Consider this question: Does the truth of God’s unfathomable wisdom encourage you, or does it cause you some fear or concern as you face the future? Be honest with God about how you feel.