Romans 11:33-36 Now Available feat. New Verses Artist Eliza King

Jan 1

Romans 11:33-36 is now available on all streaming platforms!

THE VERSE

[33] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
    [34] “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
        or who has been his counselor?”
    [35] “Or who has given a gift to him
        that he might be repaid?”
[36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Here we are in January 1, 2023. Can you even believe it?!

Another year behind us, and another year before us. As we consider our hopes, dreams, and plans for this next year, we thought that these verses from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome were a lovely way to frame the upcoming year. While there’s no way to adequately cover all contained in these verses, we decided to focus in on just the first word for this devotional.

The first word is easy to skip to over, is it not? It’s only two letters, and we can forget that even it has a purpose behind it. Why did Paul say it? He could have simply excluded it or constructed this sentence in a slightly different way but he didn’t. In a sermon on this passage, Sam Storms ruminates:

The most important word in Romans 11:33-36 isn’t “riches” or “wisdom” or “knowledge” or “glory” or even “God.” It is, perhaps, the least likely word to attract your attention. Yet, it is rich and powerful and radically life changing. It’s the first word in v. 33, “Oh!” That's right, “Oh!” This is no insignificant particle. It is no mere transitional exclamation. This is the apostle's passionate proclamation of the impact on his own soul of all that has preceded in his theological narrative.

Where is the intensity of awe and amazement that a true knowledge of the Holy One of Israel ought to evoke?

I ask myself as I ask you: where is the “Oh!” in our response to God? Where is the intensity of awe and amazement that a true knowledge of the Holy One of Israel ought to evoke? The church has lost the “Oh!” in her relationship with and response to God. Do you want to know why so many believers are muddling through the Christian life, just trying to stay out of hell and to get by with as little discomfort and risk as possible? It is because when they think of God, instead of “Oh!”, their response is a “Who?” borne of ignorance, or the “Huh?” of disinterest, or a “So what?” of indifference.

If you’ll listen carefully, you may detect an odd sound echoing throughout many churches in our land and across the globe: Southern Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Nazarene, non-denominational, charismatic, etc. Sadly, it isn’t the sound of heartfelt praise or of expository preaching. It is the rumbling sound of a spiritual snore that comes from religious boredom. Professing Christians are, I’m sad to say, bored with God.

This word revealed a fire in his heart for God and his longings for others to join in the same.

As Paul rehearsed the story and work of God in Romans 1-11, what came out of his mouth was the “Oh!” of astonishment and worship, not complacency and indifference. As we look back in the Bible, Paul wasn’t the first to incorporate this word… David couldn’t keep the word as he prayed and sang! This word revealed a fire in his heart for God and his longings for others to join in the same. Here’s just a sampling of David’s usage of the word in his own prayers and songs:

Psalm 14:7 - Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Psalm 25:20 - Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
Psalm 31:19 - Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
Psalm 34:3 - Oh! Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:8 - Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:9 - Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
Psalm 36:10 - Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Psalm 60:11 - Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!

Later on in the psalms, other psalmists use the same word as they seek to express themselves:

Psalm 96:1 - Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Psalm 107:1 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 119:97 - Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

So as we look out at this next year, our prayer for Verses and for you is that God would give us the gift of “Oh!” That in 2023, as we engage with God and meditate on His Word, the Holy Spirit would stir in us more wonder and astonishment for the Person of Christ and a love for Him. That, like Paul and David, our most natural response as we consider all that God is and all He’s done, we’d exclaim, “Oh!” That we’d be more captivated by Him than by any other shiny thing that allures us. That sin would lose its grip on us not because we’re gritting our teeth more but rather because we’re focusing our eyes on Him all the more.

To Him be glory in 2023 and forever.

Amen.

Let it be done, Lord!

The Song & The Artist

This song was written by Eliza King, a worship leader and songwriter from Brisbane, Australia. She shared a few thoughts after working on this song:

“What drew me to this verse in Romans were the words that grasp at the infinite, eternal nature of God. I find it humbling to consider God's unfathomable wisdom, His perfect judgements, and His spirit as the start and end of everything. Great truth to meditate on.

The writing process was really enjoyable as I found myself reflecting more and more on the words as I crafted music around them. The melodies came quite quickly, and I hope captured the weighty meaning of the words. I wanted to invite people into a place of awe and wonder as they listened, so I aimed to achieve that through the instrumentation and structure of the song.

It's been an honour to work on this project!”