Wednesday, June 17, 2026

How often have you wished that you could see the future or read minds? Do you ever wonder what it would be like to always know the best way to respond to a situation? On the flip side, we are all familiar with the feeling of dread that arises when we realize that we made the wrong decision. We also know what it feels like to make a decision based on inadequate information.

Thankfully, this is not a position God ever finds himself in. He knows all and sees all. (Proverbs 15:3).  He has all the facts available to him at all times (Psalm 33:13-14). This attribute of God is called omniscience, meaning “all-knowing.”

Wrestling with some of the implications of this attribute is not easy. For example, if God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, why would he create them? Why would he create spiritual beings like Satan that would rebel? Why does he allow bad things to happen to innocent people?

Similarly, it appears that the prophet Isaiah and the people of Israel were confronting these kinds of questions when he spoke the words of God in chapter 40.

Isaiah 40:13-14
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
   Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
   Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
   or show him the path of justice?

Building on Isaiah's message, the Lord reminds his people that he is fully sufficient to address the world's troubles. He needs no advisor, for he knows all things. In him, there is no lack of understanding.

This theme continues when Paul later echoes Isaiah's message in his letter to the Romans, emphasizing God's incomprehensibility.

Romans 11:33-34
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?

While none of the above questions have easy answers, these passages assure us that even amid struggle and suffering, God is working out his good plan. He is not unaware of his people's plight. He is working to turn tragedy into triumph.

Questions:

How does the idea of God being omniscient comfort you?

How can the idea of God being all-knowing challenge your response to struggles in your life?

Next Steps:

Read Isaiah 40, with a focus on 9-31. Meditate on how God is greater than humanity in every way.

Follow along each day in the Daily Devotional to learn more about who God really is!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, your understanding is beyond my comprehension. I cannot grasp your limitlessness. Forgive me for questioning your goodness. Forgive me when I think I know more than you in my limited humanity. Help me to trust your plan even when I can’t see how anything good can come from my life. Thank you for showing us your glory through the words of Scripture. Amen

Written by Julie Mabus, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.

Knowing God isn’t about facts—it’s about his heart. During the series, What Is God Like?, the Daily Devotional will highlight his characteristics, who he is, and how he meets us right where we are! Subscribe to The Daily to receive a text or email each day.