God Unlimited #1 – Introducing Psalm 139
The famous Swiss theologian Karl Barth was asked by a student during a seminar in United States, “Dr. Barth, what is the most profound thing you have ever learned in your study of theology?”
Barth thought for a moment and then replied with the words of a children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
At first the students thought his answer was simplistic, even humorous. But then they slowly realized that Barth was serious.
Even simple truths of the Bible carry profound meaning that can capture our thoughts for long periods. Salvation, atonement, or eternal life, for example.
And even our deepest understanding of God cannot grasp fully the depth of his attributes. God’s grace, his sovereignty, or his holiness, for example.
It’s like squeezing a large amount of leftovers into a container that’s much too small. We cannot squeeze the full, comprehensive, exhaustive, unlimited understanding of God into our limited, finite minds. Our containers are too small to grasp God completely.
The good news is that God has chosen to reveal himself to us, so that we may follow him and his ways. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Parents use baby-talk with their infant children, trying to make themselves understood. The infinite God condescends in speaking to us and making himself understood.
In contrast with our limited humanity, our unlimited God is described for us by David in Psalm 139. I will explore these further in the next few devotionals.
• The more we know, the more we know how much we don’t know. God, however, is unlimited in knowledge, omniscient (1-6).
• If you are in NYC, you are not simultaneously in Taipei or Buenos Aires. God, however, is unlimited in place, omnipresent (7-12).
• There are so many things you and I cannot do. God, however, is unlimited in power, omnipotent (13-18).
• The closer we get to God, the more our imperfections show up. God, however, is unlimited in perfection, omni-righteous or holy (19-24).
Action Step: Express your praise: Such knowledge of God is too wonderful for me! (Psalm 139:6).
~ Pastor Dave
