Job 11:7–9 (CSB)
Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
Human limitations
Have you ever had a moment when you were staring at a starry night, captivated by the endless sky, and suddenly you feel so small? Or have you ever stood on the edge of the ocean, only to realize that you can't even see where it ends? “Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty” (Job 11:7)? The God we worship is far beyond our understanding. And yet, in our finite capacity, we are invited to know Him, the infinite God.
Admitting that we have limitations can be uncomfortable; especially when the world is constantly urging us to strive for more—obtain more, do more, be more—the awareness that we are limited in our capacity to even know God can be humbling. But here’s the irony: God designed us this way. Why? So that in our weakness we might reach out to find the strength and grace that is freely available from our limitless God (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
A Too-Small View of God
We must be careful not to think of God as a supercharged version of us. We tend to make God small, and when we do this, we don't just sell Him short; we deprive ourselves of the soul-stirring wonder that comes from knowing Him more deeply. It's like saying: “I'm not interested in visiting the Grand Canyon because I can just look at the picture of it.” If you've ever visited the Grand Canyon, you know that pictures don’t do it justice. That's laughable, right? So is any attempt to shrink God down to our size (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Biblical Revelation Over Human Speculation
How can you get a bigger view of God? It isn't by imagining or guessing at what God is like. The answer is not in human speculation but in biblical revelation. The Bible is the full revelation of who God is—who we are—and how we can rightly relate to Him (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When we dig into His Word, we're exploring who God really is—both the comprehensible and the incomprehensible aspects of His nature.
The Importance of Worship in Knowing God
Knowledge about God isn't all we need. We need true knowledge of God’s splendor, wrath, grace, mercy, and love. True heart-stirring knowledge of God’s character leads to true worship of God. Worship isn't just about singing or listening to songs. It's about the posture of your life and how you respond to the glory and holiness of God (Psalm 95:1–7).
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Even with advanced biblical knowledge and a worshipful spirit, you still need help knowing God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth who illuminates, guides, and directs you into all truth (John 16:13–14). Without the turning and churning of the Holy Spirit in your soul, you will not even have a desire to attempt to know God. Now, do you want to hear something awesome? The same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you to help you know and worship Him more deeply (Romans 8:11).
If you’re up for the challenge, recognizing your limitations is the first step. A deeper dive into His Word is the second. Cultivating a life of worship is the third. Continually seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the final step. So, are you ready to know God like never before? Because He’s more than ready to make Himself known to you.