Nature of God: God’s Unpredictability Apart from Revealed Truth
Hannah Modedola Michael
September 23, 2025
Introduction
In the context of God, apart from His revealed truth about what He will do, God’s ways and decisions can be described as “inscrutable” or “unsearchable.” The Bible speaks of God’s ways being beyond human understanding (Romans 11:33-34). God’s unpredictability in this sense highlights the limits of human comprehension of God’s full plans and purposes beyond what He has chosen.
Examples from Scripture
– Blind Bartimeus (Mark 10:46-52): Jesus spoke, and instantly Bartimeus received his sight.
– The unnamed man (John 9:1-7): Jesus made a paste of clay, applied it to the man’s eyes, and instructed him to wash in Siloam for healing.
God’s Unrestricted Process
Our unlimited God is unrestricted in His process of making things happen. Though dealing with similar ailments (blindness), God chose different methods to achieve the same goal of healing. This shows God’s all-knowing nature, choosing the best process for each individual.
Implications for Believers
– Obedience over Expectations: Believers shouldn’t hold God to ransom by their expectations but release themselves to Him for the best He has.
– Diverse Situations, Diverse Solutions: Situations are diverse, so processes of solutions cannot be the same.
– Intimacy with God: The process God takes believers through in life depends on their level of intimacy with Him.
Conclusion
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God’s ways are inscrutable apart from His revealed truth. Believers should patiently obey God’s directives, knowing He will be glorified in the end.
God’s Unpredictability in the Context of His Sovereignty
God’s sovereignty refers to His supreme authority and control over all things. In this context, God’s unpredictability highlights the limitations of human understanding of God’s ways and decisions. The Bible emphasizes God’s sovereignty (Psalm 115:3, Daniel 4:35) and also speaks of God’s ways being beyond human comprehension (Romans 11:33-34).
Aspects of God’s Unpredictability in Sovereignty
– Beyond Human Comprehension: God’s thoughts and ways are higher than human thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
– Sovereign Choices: God works all things according to His counsel and will (Ephesians 1:11).
– Diverse Methods: God may use different methods to achieve His purposes, as seen in biblical accounts like the healing of blind Bartimeus (Mark 10:46-52) and the man born blind in John 9.
Balance of Sovereignty and Human Response
– Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Believers are called to trust in God’s sovereignty and wisdom.
– Human Limitations: Humans cannot fully grasp God’s plans or predict His actions.
– Obedience and Surrender: Believers are encouraged to obey and surrender to God’s will.
Conclusion
God’s unpredictability in the context of His sovereignty underscores the vastness of God’s wisdom and control beyond human understanding. Believers trust in God’s sovereign will, acknowledging His authority over all things.
Concluding Remarks:
Humanity vs. God
Human beings and God are fundamentally different. As the Bible states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). God’s ways are higher than humanity’s ways, and His thoughts are higher than human thoughts.
God’s Nature vs. Human Perception
– Transcendence of God: God’s nature transcends human understanding.
– Higher Thoughts and Ways: God’s thoughts and ways are above human comprehension.
– Not Oxymoron: Considering God’s ways as “unpredictable” might be a human perspective limitation. Given God’s sovereignty and transcendence, describing God as unpredictable could be seen as an oxymoron because God operates on a plane beyond human predictability based on His own perfect will.
Conclusion
Acknowledging the difference between humanity and God emphasizes the need for humility in understanding God’s ways. God’s thoughts and ways are higher, guiding believers to trust in His sovereignty.
*Hannah Modesola Michael is a minister at Solid Rock Christ Apostolic Church Badagry Expressway Lagos. She is a regular contributor to GIVA note series a program of GIVA Ministry International*
