“Oh, THE DEPTH OF THE RICHES OF THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Rom. 11:33)
So, how deep is deep? In the Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Japan, there is a very deep trench called the “Mariana Trench.” Near the southern tip, there is a small slot-shaped area called the “Challenger Deep.” With a measured depth of approximately 36,000 feet below sea level, a journey to the bottom of the Challenger Deep is nearly seven miles, making it the deepest known place on Earth.
Forty-five years ago, when I first began to search the scriptures, one of the first lessons I learned was: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”– the things God has prepared for those who love him– these are the things God has REVEALED TO US BY HIS SPIRIT. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (1 Corin. 2:9-10).
What I learned back then and still practice today is praying this prayer before I read or study the Word of God: “My dear Abba Father I come to you to search the scriptures, knowing that there will be no understanding without revelation from you! Please Lord, open my heart to receive understanding from your Word, in Jesus name, amen!”
Paul tells us “I have become a servant…to present to you the word of God in its fullness– the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now 1disclosed to the Lord’s people.” (Col. 1:25-26). 1phaneroō: to make visible, clear, plain, known
Oh, how I thank God that He has chosen to disclose to us the full meaning of His Word!
Let’s search the scriptures…Bill Stockham