How do we know that God's grace goes before our understanding?

Prevenient grace refers to the grace that goes before, preparing an individual’s heart for the reception of the Gospel. This concept is clearly illustrated in the account of the Ethiopian eunuch who, while reading Isaiah 53, is approached by Philip. The eunuch's prior experience of reading Scripture indicates that God had been working in his heart, cultivating his understanding. This illustrates a key aspect of sovereign grace theology: before anyone comes to faith, God is already at work, orchestrating situations and preparing hearts for the message of salvation. God’s initiative and sovereignty ensure that His elect hear and respond to the Gospel at just the right moment, confirming that salvation is entirely an act of His grace.