Day 21 - God Works In Mysterious Ways
- Pastor b.Side
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden [wisdom] which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. - 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
They say that “God works in mysterious ways.” Throughout history, aspects of God were hidden from people. That was God’s plan. One reason for this was to set Himself apart from people. Our inability to grasp the truth about God outside of His revelation through miracles shows how disconnected we are from Him, revealing our need for a Savior. Truly knowing God requires His supernatural intervention. God also conceals certain parts of Himself to distinguish true believers from non-believers. When Jesus spoke in parables, only a few from the crowd pursued understanding. Those seeking to know the meaning of Jesus’ words were genuine believers, and their faith was confirmed through understanding. Non-believers were satisfied with ignorance, leaving the things of God a mystery to them.
“We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery…”
In 2 Corinthians 2:7, the Apostle Paul said he was speaking the wisdom of God in a mystery. How did Paul obtain this wisdom? He accessed God’s wisdom through His power, shown by the Holy Spirit, because of his faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What was the wisdom of God? The passage connects “the wisdom of God” to the truth of “Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” mentioned in verse 2. Both Paul’s access to God’s wisdom and his ability to share it “mysteriously” are based on faith in the Gospel—the Word of God.
“The hidden [wisdom] which God ordained…”
What is so “mysterious” about this message? Paul wrote that the message of the Gospel, his faith in it, and how he proclaimed it were miracles of God. This was against conventional wisdom and logic. How could faith in a message unlock understanding of previously hidden truths about God? How could faith in a message empower someone to speak? Paul didn’t come to faith through an elaborate show created by people to spark an emotional response. He didn’t rely on traditional persuasive tactics or strategies to bring others to faith. Paul heard the testimony of Jesus directly from Jesus Himself, repented, and believed. When Paul spoke, he simply explained who Jesus was and that He was crucified for the sins of the world, as the scriptures declare. Nothing fancy. He trusted God’s power behind the message without any clever persuasive techniques. That’s the point.
“Had they known…”
How can you explain the transforming power of the Gospel without recognizing God’s supernatural involvement? If God’s wisdom could be reached through human effort, Jesus wouldn’t have been crucified. People would have seen His divine nature and worshiped Him as God. Jesus’s crucifixion shows that unless God miraculously opens our eyes, we remain unaware of His true identity and eternal plans. Therefore, God’s greatness is magnified by His power to continually display wisdom and glory through a message the world considers foolish.
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, thank You for opening our eyes to the truth that was once hidden. Help us remember that, like Paul, our understanding and ability to speak the truth depend entirely on Your work. Help us serve Your eternal purposes, trusting in the power of Your Word rather than the methods of the world, to bring You glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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