But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir (Gal 4:4-7).

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Today’s “But God” verses give us some insight into the God we know—but can never fully know. Immortal, perfect,  “wholly Other,”  yet he sent his own Son to become one of us. As a result we have been made children of God, adopted into his family. Though we were once slaves to sin, those who put their trust in Christ are now his sons and daughters. What is more, we are also his heirs.

Only God would have ever come up with such a plan. Again and again in the Bible we see God doing the impossible, the unthinkable, the extravagant. How about this “But God” verse:

When they had carried out all that was written about [Jesus], they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead… (Acts 13:29-30).

A human father would surely have intervened to stop the madness that his innocent son was experiencing. But our Heavenly Father knew that all the “madness” was necessary for the rescue plan to be completed. God waited until Jesus’ lifeless body was in the tomb, and then he “raised him from the dead”! Now there’s something that we could never have  accomplished!

What is our response to God, who is so far above and beyond us that we can never fully know him? All we can do is bow at his feet in worship. We cry, “Abba (Daddy), Father” and give our lives to him. Our former delights fade; now we pursue him with our whole hearts. Our new desire is to know him more. Our love blossoms as we draw nearer to God’s heart.

The unknowable God went to great lengths to make himself known. Praise you for your extraordinary ways, Father.  You anticipated our sin and crafted a plan designed to buy us back from the bondage of sin. Receive our praise, Lord.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

This song may be new to you as it was to me, but it speaks to today’s post and is our Hymn of the Month for May, 2021.