Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?
–Romans 11:33–34
The Bible can’t predict our future. It can’t answer all our questions. It can’t give us specific guidance for every decision in our lives. So what can the Bible do for us when we’re searching for direction in life?
For one thing, the Bible confirms God’s sovereignty. The term sovereignty simply means that God’s in charge. When I read the Bible, I’m reminded that God is working out His plan, even when I don’t understand it.
Years ago, I was out of town at a speaking engagement when I got a phone call. My mom had had exploratory surgery that day, and the doctors had found widespread cancer. The situation was so hopeless that all they could do was sew her back up. She had only a few months to live.
I remember the drive back to Dallas that night. I wasn’t angry, but I was wondering, God, why in the world would You take my mom, an effective Bible teacher and witness for Christ? She’s only fifty-four years old. Why would You take her like this?
As I was asking those questions, I turned on the radio. A pastor was reading Romans 11:33–34: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?” At that moment, God’s Word grabbed hold of me with this reminder: Robert, I have a plan, even though you can’t understand it. God’s Word reminds us that God is in control of everything that happens.
God’s Word also convicts us of sin. I can’t tell you the number of times somebody has come up to me after a worship service and said, “Who told you about my situation? You made that sermon just for me.” No, I didn’t know about their situation, but God knew, and He used His Word to penetrate that person’s heart. Hebrews 4:12 says His Word is “sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God’s Word cuts through all the malarkey and gets to the heart of the matter. That is what the Bible does for us when we need direction.
