³³Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!‍    

How unsearchable his judgments,‍    

and his paths beyond tracing out!

‍³⁴“Who has known the mind of the Lord?‍    

Or who has been his counselor?” ‍

‍³⁵“Who has ever given to God,‍    

that God should repay them?” ‍

‍³⁶For from him and through him and for him are all things.‍    

To him be the glory forever! Amen. (NIV)

I pray you have a doxology-filled day!

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In today’s scripture, Paul writes a doxology. Doxology is a Greek word that comes from the word “doxa” which means honor or glory and “logia” which means language or speak. A doxalogia means to speak glory. Usually, it is spoken or sung words of praise to God.

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You might be familiar with some well-known doxologies, such as the Gloria Patri:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is

now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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Or this variation, written by a 17th-century Anglican bishop named Thomas Ken:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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Throughout Romans, prior to the doxology in Romans 11, Paul has written numerous truths about God, Christianity, salvation, the Jews and Gentiles, grace, and more. While his doxology might have been planned as part of his writing, I’d like to think that Paul was overwhelmed by God’s truth and presence, and he penned this doxology because God’s truth made Paul burst out in praise to God.  

Do you ever burst out in praise to God?  It’s easy to do it when I see and experience God in nature.  We have seen some amazing sights this year, and often I’m struck by God’s goodness as He displays it in creation.

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I find it harder to do when I interact with people and problems, but God’s wisdom and love are just as real in the valleys as they are on the mountaintops.  

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But even as I thank Him for His blessings, I forget to praise Him for his wisdom and His knowledge, and for His masterful plan.

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What about when you’re contemplating God’s richness? Do you break into praise when you think about forgiveness? When you read Romans? When you think of God’s blessings, His grace, His creation, His plan?

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As I’ve been thinking about this devotion over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been more intentional about praising God when I experience Him.  Often, I’ll just sing a common doxology.  Maybe you think that sounds too much like a dirge – that’s Ok, sing a modern praise song, or whatever is on your heart.  Today, I hope you’ll find things for which you praise God.  I pray you have a doxology-filled day!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.