Isaiah 55 reminds us that the thoughts of the Lord are much higher than our thoughts, His ways more wise than our own. God is complete “other” than us, utterly transcendent and unsurpassed in all His ways.
“I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God…”
(Isaiah 45:5)
Here are seven ways in which the glory of the Lord goes unsurpassed:
1. His ways are inscrutable and untrackable.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”
(Romans 11:33)
2. His riches are unsearchable.
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
(Ephesians 3:8)
3. His love is beyond knowledge.
“and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
(Ephesians 3:19)
4. His joy is inexpressible.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory”
(1 Peter 1:8)
5. His kindness is unsurpassable.
“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”
(Romans 11:22)
6. His peace surpasses understanding.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7)
7. He himself is indescribable.
“remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,”
(Isaiah 46:9)
What would you add to this list? How else do the glory of the Lord and His attributes surpass all others?
Rex Cleveland says
October 1, 2012 at 11:49 amThe LORD’s lovingkindnesses (mercies) indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NASV.
Merciful, compassionate and faithful; who could ask for a better God?
John Groats says
October 1, 2012 at 3:19 pmGod’s ignorance and cruelty are unsurpassed for yet while God has the ability to make everything good he refuses to do so.
Jerry S. says
October 1, 2012 at 4:03 pmJohn, that in itself is an ignorant statement, but don’t worry GOD has your back. All you have to do is believe it.
J.
Andybob says
October 1, 2012 at 4:06 pmMr Groats,
I am puzzled by your post.
I know God is niether ignorant or cruel and has put together a masterful plan for all of mankind.
Rom 9:14-15, 20 What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and
I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion
v20. But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
‘Why did you make me like this?’ ”
Can you help me understand why you say such in your post?
In God’s Love,
AB
David says
October 1, 2012 at 11:11 pmWhen I was a child, I lived in response to what I saw, felt, heard, touched and believed. My parents, siblings, family, friends, and teachers among others, all contributed to my foundational worldview or paradigm.
Obviously, my upbringing affected and shaped my understanding of life and even God! Those experiences and emotions remained.
But, as I grew and matured I had to encounter the fallacies, the mistakes, the half-truths. I had to be honest with myself to identify the wounds and the healings that had taken place. All in all, I realized there was true love somewhere. All the important people couldn’t fill the gap in my soul nor give me an identity. At 25 years old, True Love found me, and answered my cry! His Name was Jesus! His Love for me was good, gracious and real! Truth begins with His goodness realized in one’s heart. Ask Him to show you His love.
Robert Calame says
October 2, 2012 at 5:20 amJohn,
God has the ability to make everything good and is doing so. Unfortunately while He is doing so people get impatient and try to do everything themselves, without Him. Big mistake! Not having God at the centre of our life causes those problems and tragedies to occur. God says “Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I shall give you rest” Matthew 11:28 If we bring everything to God he promises to make our burden light. We must believe that he is a rewarder of all those who diligently seek him.
Daniel says
October 2, 2012 at 7:28 amIgnorance is not a capable position of God, He is all knowing, cruelty of whom? of God don’t you mean of man, when a murderer goes before a judge does the judge have the power to say your sins are forgiven you go ahead, yes, but doesn’t the judge Condemn that murderer to life in prison or death? one must pay for their actions and that is why humans end up how they do. GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM THERE IS NO VARIABILITY OR SHADOW. Humans are wicked born and shape in iniquity.
Jerry S. says
October 2, 2012 at 9:28 amBy the way John, “make everything good”…according to what standard? Those of Americans or any third world country of your choice? I don’t know what your life has been like, but for the majority of us with a computer to tap away our opinions on, when we stand before the JUDGE beside some child who suffered through horrors we only read about we’ll have no complaints and so we should take pause to think twice now before we do complain. There is always someone worse off than I am. Believe it and be thankful for what we have.
J.
Jerry S. says
October 1, 2012 at 3:42 pmRom 8:26 HNV, I love knowing that I know nothing and in my ignorance all is taken care of while I am unaware of its being done. I can’t do anything right, even prayer. Humbling piece of scripture isn’t it.
J.
Andybob says
October 1, 2012 at 3:58 pmHere are some of His attributes with supporting scripture references:
– God’s name is Yahweh or Jehovah (Exodus 3:14). It means, “I am”. We can look at His great name and understand that “He was”, “He is”, “He will be”, and He causes all things to exits! Amazing!
– Yahweh/God is the creator (Gen 1:1, Isa 40:28, Isa 43:15, Jer 32:17)
– God is love (agape) (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16)
– God is eternal ( Deut 33:27, 1 Tim 1:17, Heb 9:14)
– God is a spirit ( John 4:24, Heb 9:14) the holy (not unholy) spirit
– God is all knowing or omniscient (Isa 40:28, Psalm 147:5, Mat 10:30)
– God is everywhere present or omnipresent (Psalm 139:8, Jeremiah 23:23-24)
– God is all powerful or omnipotent (Job 42:2, Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 32:17, 27)
– God cannot be tempted (James 1:13)
– God is not a man (Numbers 23:19, 1 Sam 15:29)
– God is not a liar (Deut 32:4, Numbers 23:19, 1 Sam 15:29)
– God is invisible (1 Tim 1:17)
– God is immortal (1 Tim 1:17)
– God loves us! (John 3:16)
– God is just! (2Th 1:6)
– God separates our sins from us as far as the eas is from the west! (Ps 103:12)
Oh how I love Him who first loved me (1Jo 4:19). I am my beloved’s and He is mine! (Sgs 6:3). I am thankful for eternal life because God, who is so amazing and past finding out, can receive eternal praise from His people because He deserves it!
Your brother in Jesus Chirst our Lord,
Andybob
Lanae Wilson says
October 1, 2012 at 9:25 pmThe words steadfast love and faithfulness are placed together in the same verse many more times in the Bible than I can count. It seems that this is something that we should always remember, because despite what we do or face the Lords love is not dependent upon that, and with that surpassing love comes faithfulness to always be with us and hear our prayers. Our task is to trust and lean on this.
Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his STEADFAST LOVE endures forever, and his FAITHFULNESS to all generations.
Psalm 108:4 For your STEADFAST LOVE is great above the heavens; your FAITHFULNESS reaches to the clouds.
Proverbs 3:3 Let not STEADFAST LOVE and FAITHFULNESS forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Psalm 117:2 For great is his STEADFAST LOVE toward us, and the FAITHFULNESS of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!
Praise the Lord indeed!
Gregg G says
October 2, 2012 at 7:40 amNow unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:20-21