Thinking God’s Thoughts After Him

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Oct 26, 2014 2575

by Bilyana de Soto

There is no doubt that God so often confounds our human reasoning and wisdom. The Bible contains “God’s thoughts” which are at times strange to our ears and require a God-given ‘sixth sense’ – that of spiritual discernment. Take for example the paradox of finding strength in and through weakness. Kepler, the well-known scientist described science as “thinking God’s thoughts after Him”. I am sure that the ‘science’ of spiritual growth, insight and understanding is similarly the art of tracing God’s thoughts in every area of our lives. Clearly God tells us that our human reasoning just doesn’t cut it when it comes to the realms of his universe whether physical or spiritual.  “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25)..

So it’s paradoxical to read Bible passages that stress the virtues of weakness. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor. 12:9)

“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth…. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

In today’s society strong is cool and weakness is despised. Apart from anything else, isn’t it counter-intuitive to suggest that weak equals strong. Also aren’t we told to …”be strong in the Lord”. Not in my strength but in the strength of His might. Right in these words is the point of discernment. When you think you have everything you need, who needs God, right? When you think you are strong and self-sufficient, who needs deity? Who is sitting on the throne when you believe you are your own source of strength? Perhaps that’s why weakness, not strength, fosters spiritual growth. Powerlessness makes us more receptive to God’s power working in our lives. When we are brought to our knees, we are forced to acknowledge our complete inadequacy. We see that our best efforts are wholly insufficient. Only then can we discover God’s grace as truly sufficient for all our needs. Thinking God’s thoughts after Him leads us directly to his throne of grace and power. And that’s a very tall tower of strength indeed.

“I am strong when I am on your shoulders,                                                                                                                                                                                        You raise me up to more than I can be.”         (Josh Groban Lyrics).

Bilyana De Soto