It was difficult for her to grasp, much less believe. When you are well along in years and have no children, it is surprising for God to show up and promise you a son. So, when the woman who heard from God shared the news with her husband, he needed more proof. God revealed himself to Manoah in the form of an angel.

Judges 13:17-18
Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?”

The Hebrew word translated “wonderful” describes something that is extraordinary, marvelous, miraculous, above our ability to comprehend. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways . . . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). After describing God’s sovereignty in Romans 9-11, Paul expressed wonder and praise, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways” (Romans 11:33)!

Let’s face it. We cannot fit God into our human minds. As much as we want to understand everything God does in our lives, many times, his ways are beyond figuring out. It is impossible for humanity to grasp the thoughts and actions of the all-knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent, eternal Creator. Humbly accepting that God is beyond our understanding is the first step to a life of trust and faith.

Heavenly Father,
I acknowledge that you are wonderful. Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and your ways are not always according to my plans. Your judgments are unsearchable. Your paths for me are outside the box, so I humbly confess that you are God, and I am not. Help me to trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.