In Romans 11:33 Paul is humbly worshiping God. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out.” As he pondered this while worshipping God he writes in verse 34 what the prophet wrote so poignantly in Isaiah 40:13, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” These are obviously rhetorical questions. 

 

Some might believe they know the mind of God, but what they know or see are mere shadows at best. Even Paul admitted in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror…Now I know in part.” Clearly, since we are finite there is no way we can know the infinite mind of God. 

 

In addition, since He knows everything there is to know and the wisdom to best apply that knowledge He doesn’t need anyone to counsel Him. No one can provide information God doesn’t already know better than the one providing it. 

 

It would be wise to keep this in mind when we come to God in prayer. Telling Him what we think or feel is fine. But trying to arm-twist Him with our information is rather foolish. He delights in our coming to Him and making our request known to Him. He takes special delight when our requests reflect that we are familiar with what He has revealed in His Word. But whatever we understand, we only know in part.