What do we do when faced with the mysteries of God?

In the Fall of 1972 I was walking with a friend on the campus of Concordia Lutheran College, Austin, TX. My friend and I were both students of this Lutheran school, whose primary mission was to prepare young people for careers in church work. My friend was studying to be a Lutheran teacher. I was studying to be a Lutheran pastor. Why this occasion stands out is that, as we were walking, we met another student and began talking. During the conversation, this third student shared that he was not a believer in Jesus.

That was somewhat unusual at this specific college. But, the behavior which makes this occasion stick out in my mind is that the friend with whom I was originally walking began to cry. They were deeply saddened that this other student could or would miss out on all the love, the grace, and the salvation which God offers in Jesus. It was a moment full of questions and uncertainty.

I share this experience with you because of my devotional readings on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The assigned chapters for reading for this day were Romans 9-11. In this series of chapters Paul discusses his great sorrow and concern for his people, many of whom had chosen not to believe that Jesus was the promised Savior of the World. Paul was so upset by this situation that he wrote, "3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (Romans 9:3) Paul writes that he would rather that he himself miss the blessings of Jesus, than that his people would do so. That is true compassion, and true heart-felt concern.

Actually, Paul wrote 3 chapters in the book of Romans on this one topic. As I again read what he wrote, he seems to have one answer in one place, and another in the next set of words he wrote. This was a mystery greater than Paul could understand. That is why he wrote at the end of chapter 11, "33

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 35 'Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)

What do we do when faced with the mysteries of God? Do we throw up our hands because we do not and cannot understand? Do we stop believing in the Creator, the Savior, the Lord of the universe because something troubles us?

Do we stop serving Jesus because we don't understand Him? If you are watching "The Chosen" series about the life of Jesus, as Kathy and I are doing, you will see that Jesus' disciples had many un-answered questions.

What DO we do?

First, we should not be surprised when we don't understand God, or His Word.

After all, He is the Lord and Creator, and we are His creaTION. The Lord shares with us in Isaiah 55:8-9, "8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." I have actually come to a place where I am glad I do not expect to understand everything. The Lord is a mystery, above my understanding. I do not want the workings of this world limited by my own small, and faulty, mind.

Nevertheless, God does not leave us without truth and comfort. I find in His word basic truths which I can know, even if my feeble mind does not understand everything. In Chapters 9-11, Paul shares two of these truths.

In Romans 10:10-11, the Lord inspired Paul to restate the truth he writes in many other places. Please read these verses with me. "10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.'" Because we are all sinful, our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus. Because no human can keep the holy law of God, in grace our Father gives us His forgives and grace everlasting as we believe in Jesus, in spite of our sin. Basically said, we are saved through faith in Jesus.

That is a basic truth I can understand and believe.

Another important truth revealed in these chapters comes from Romans 10:17.

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." God works through His Word to create saving faith. He works through His word, the Bible. He works through His Word, Jesus. Even when I cannot have answers to all my questions about God, He nevertheless does share what I need to know. He shares in His Word.

So, what do we do when faced with the mysteries of God? I have learned to accept my short-comings, but to also trust the basic truths which God states again and again in His Word. I hear God saying, and so I believe, that He saves us from our sin for eternal life in heaven by His grace. Sinners cannot earn salvation, but we still receive our Lord's eternal love through faith in Jesus. I have also come to believe that God creates this faith through His Word. So, knowing my feeble mind, I immerse myself in the Word of God, in the Bible, in Jesus. I trust the grace of God to work in my life. I pray to share His grace with others.