The omniscience of the Lord is a comforting theme that spans the entire Bible. In the New Testament epistles, the early Church was reminded time and time again that the God of the Bible is the God Who knows all things. His vast knowledge, infinite wisdom, complete understanding, and perfect foreknowledge can give us confidence. That confidence comes to us, His children, whose understanding is limited by our own frailties.

Let’s look at a few of the many testimonies to God’s omniscience that we find in the epistles.

The Testimony of Paul in Romans 11:33–36

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:33–36).

In the context of this remarkable doxology, Paul had been discussing the marvelous plan of salvation through which the Gentiles were included by grace in the blessings given to the Jews. Paul testified that God’s judgments are “unsearchable” and His ways “past finding out.”

If we had been in charge, we would have written the script differently. But our omniscient God, knowing all things, has manifested His power and grace beyond what man could even imagine.

Have you ever wished that you were in charge of events? Have you ever desired God to work differently than the way He seems to be working? If so, remember the words of Paul: “Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” God’s knowledge is greater than our knowledge, and we should give Him the glory that He so richly deserves.

The Testimony of James in James 1:5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

Not only does God know all things, but He is willing to give us a measure of the inexhaustible fountain of His wisdom. James wrote later in this same letter that “. . . ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2).

Do you lack wisdom? Are you facing a challenge that is beyond your experience or your own limited store of knowledge? You serve the God Who knows all things! Ask Him for wisdom, and He will graciously bestow it. Sometimes it may come in a form that you don’t like or appreciate, for wisdom often comes packaged as reproof (see Proverbs 1:23). But a man who is humble enough to discern the Lord’s answer to prayer and receive reproof with gratitude is one who has the potential to be a wise man in the days ahead.

The Testimony of Peter in II Peter 1:2–3

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:2–3).

God’s knowledge, imparted to us, enables us to grow in life and godliness. The Apostle Peter recognized that the omniscient God of the Bible is the source of all knowledge, just as He is the source of all grace, peace, power, and virtue. In his epistle, Peter later exhorted us to add to our faith the character quality virtue and to virtue, knowledge.

Humanistic education in our modern culture places primary emphasis upon knowledge. Paul warns us in I Corinthians 8:1 that knowledge by itself “puffeth up.” Knowledge alone can make a man proud and arrogant, and he eventually proves himself to be a fool. Godly knowledge is built upon virtue.

Have you recognized with Peter that God is the source of all knowledge? What are your educational goals for yourself or for your children? Have you made virtue a priority? God is graciously willing to pour out His wisdom upon us and help us learn knowledge, but He desires that knowledge be built upon Godly virtue.

The Testimony of John in I John 3:20

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (I John 3:20).

In the context of this remarkable verse on the omniscience of God, John was discussing matters of conscience—the times when our heart condemns us. We must be very careful when evaluating right and wrong by the standard of our own hearts. According to Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

A man who relies upon his own heart for guidance is a man who can and will be led astray. The Apostle John reminded his readers that God is greater than our heart. His perfect knowledge is above and beyond our feelings. God has given us His Spirit to bring His Word to correct our hearts when we are wrong and to lead us into all truth by the fixed standard of the Bible.

When you face a difficult decision, do you follow your heart? Or do you follow the revealed Word of a God Who is greater than your heart, a God Who “knoweth all things?” There is a liberty and a confidence that comes when we do not rely upon the changing whims of our own feelings but instead rely upon what God Himself has revealed in His Word.

The Testimony of Jude in Jude 24–25

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 24–25).

Jude used a special title for God: “the only wise God.” The title is found in only two other places in the Bible. In comparison to our God, all human wisdom is folly. God is the only One in the universe Who is truly wise. What a comfort God’s omniscience is to His children! Jude warned about the pernicious dangers of false teachers, teachers who claimed to have human wisdom and special knowledge. But Jude reminded believers that we serve “the only wise God.” He is the One Who is able to keep us from falling! He is the One Who will present us before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!

Are you resting today in the hands of “the only wise God?” Is He your Savior? If not, seek His gracious power to save, to satisfy, and to redeem you from death. If He is indeed your Savior, give Him the glory and majesty of which He alone is worthy!