Strength of Understanding

Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right.
Job 36:5–6
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Strength of Understanding
What does it mean to have understanding? We often think ourselves knowledgeable about a myriad of topics which we actually know very little about.  A mile wide but an inch deep as the saying goes.  Thankfully God does not suffer from this.  He is as Elihu describes, “mighty in strength of understanding.”  He knows and understands what our affliction is. He knows that our sin separates us from Him, even though we don’t know or understand this.  Which is why He comes to us and rescues us from our plight. If not for His love and understanding, we would remain forever separated from God and His enemy. But because He knew what the cure for our souls was, we are saved.  Our loving Father understood that only His perfect Son could atone for the sins of the world.  He knew that only the fulfillment of the Law by Christ would count on our behalf, because He knew Jesus would fulfill it perfectly. Our Father understood that sinful people like us could never do enough to fix what we broke, therefor He sent Jesus to restore us to Himself.  And in faith we are given a glimpse of His understanding when the Holy Spirit makes known to us the path of Salvation in Christ alone.  And it is solely in God’s understanding what we find comfort and refuge. He opens our eyes to the cross and the salvation won for us upon it. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our understanding is flawed and weak, God’s is perfect and strong.