His Understanding is Infinite
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5 (KJV)
The word understanding in this verse is the Hebrew word tabuwn, which means intelligence, reason, understanding, skillfulness, wisdom. In the actual Hebrew, His understanding is infinite could be rendered Of His understanding, intelligence, reason, skillfulness and wisdom there is no number. It cannot be measured.
We’ve all felt misunderstood. Maybe we said something and people took it the wrong way. Maybe we tried to help someone and they thought we had different motives. Maybe people simply don’t understand how we feel, where we’ve been, or what we’ve gone through. When we don’t understand someone, we have a wrong view of that person.
God’s understanding is infinite, meaning there is no limit to God’s understanding. He understands us when we mess up and knows the reason for it. He understands our feelings- because He’s aready faced everything we face, and He conquered it. He’s been touched with our weaknesses.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
God gets us. Jesus was a person just like us. He understands us when others don’t. He understands all we go through and stays with us in it, closer than any other. We can be honest and open with Jesus because He understands us, who we are, and why we are the way we are. God comprehends all we are because He made us. He even understands our thoughts. He understands us when we don’t understand ourselves.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:2-4 (New International Version, NIV)
God understands how we feel when someone hurts us and we aren’t sure why. He understands us when things don’t work out and we don’t know the reason. He is what scholars call omniscient, meaning He is all-knowing and we have to trust in His omniscience and believe He has it all under control.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version, NIV)
We must know that when we do not understand people or life, or ourselves, God does. God’s understanding is limitless because God Himself is limitless. He knows how to relate to us when we hurt and we’re confused. When we don’t understand life, we trust in God, who is Life, gave us life, and knows what is best for us. He has all understanding and knowledge and wisdom about everyone and everything. He comprehends all things because He created it all and gave life to it. Understand that the One who knows all things will always love us, help us, and show us who He is. He reveals His plan to us one step at a time.
God’s peace will pass all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). We might not understand how His peace will keep us, but we don’t have to understand it for it to keep our hearts and minds. We just need to rest in it. God understands us, loves us, and will be there for us. God will make all the pieces come together, and we will be able to see everything better and come to a better understanding of how God was working for us all along.
Whoever is wise will remember these things and begin to understand the Lord’s faithful love. Psalm 107:43 (Easy-to-Read Version, ERV)
