Romans 11:33-36

Christians love to fuss over music.  Some like it slow; some like it fast.  Some like it new; some like it old.  Some want to sing it from a hymnal, and others want it projected on a screen.  Some love the guitar, bass and drum, while others think any instrument is wrong.  They want music that moves them, but different music moves people in different ways.  It is OK that everyone has different opinions about what is good music.  What is not OK is when they allow themselves to express those opinions in un-Christian ways.  While they are fussing over the music, too often they forget that what matters are the words of the song.  Songs have words, and words convey meaning.  The words of Christian songs should convey Christian truth.

Romans 11:33-36 are the words to a song.  We do not know the melody or the music; and I do not care since I cannot carry a tune anyway.  I care about what the words mean.

This song tells us that we cannot, and never will be able to fathom the deepest knowledge and reasons behind God’s actions.  God created us with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, but we will still never fully know the mind of God.  One of the first steps of knowledge is recognizing all we do not and cannot know.

This song tells us that we cannot place God in our debt.  Years of service on the Mission Field or in ministry does not leave God owing us.  Bill Gates could sign over the keys to Microsoft to God, and God would owe him nothing.  Thankfully, we do not have to buy God’s love; he has given it freely.

This song tells us that nothing exists without God.  Everything depends upon him for existence.  That includes us.  We are not all knowing, we are not all-powerful, and we are not self-sufficient.  What does this song mean?  It means that we are not God; God is!