The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, throwing the wicked down to their ruin. Proverbs 21:12, TLV
Bigger Than Us? Well, today’s proverb is one of those confusing passages. As I often do, I researched various scholarly works for the wise ones’ interpretations, because as we all know, I am no scholar. However, the only consensus from the erudite is with the second half of the verse. Not much help.
So, why did I choose another obscure proverb? Especially when my goal with these blogs is to generally shine a light on something relevant?
Here’s what happened . . .
Here’s what happened. I was confounded by the lack of definitive interpretation and not coming up with anything usable. It was disconcerting. That feeling reminded me of other moments of being uncertain of an outcome — what to do, the next step. Not sure what GOD wanted.
That’s when I realized today’s message — at least for me, and I hope helpful for you all — is that there are times when there isn’t a clear answer. Sometimes, we can’t define a situation.
For me, those feelings usually land into the “why” category. “Why did GOD . . .” or, “Why didn’t GOD . . .”
Or, I want to know the future. Will I get published? See the answers to those decades’ old prayers?
The real question . . .
Finally, the real question revealed itself: Is my security in knowing the answers to my whys, or in GOD?
As long as we’re on this earth, we won’t know everything, otherwise why would we need faith? Faith is not the substance of knowing what our Heavenly Father is going to do. It is faith despite the lack of evidence.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen . . . Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:1, 6, TLV
Think about that. Our very salvation is based on believing in Someone we’ve never physically met face-to-face.
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. And even though you don’t see Him now, you trust Him and are filled with a joy that is glorious beyond words, receiving the outcome of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9, TLV
So, why would I be unsettled with a few unanswered questions? Or a few obscure passages that stump not only me, but folks much brighter than me?
Knowing who GOD — His character, His love, His omniscience, His omnipotence — well, isn’t that enough? Knowing He would sacrifice His only Son on our behalf, isn’t that enough? And, knowing He is so much bigger than us, well that’s enough. Because we have experienced and seen it in our lives.
When our journey stalls because of the unknown, we need to go back to what we know. Then, we can be settled and at peace with the questions and the unknown.
May we be okay with the questions and unknown, my friends.
Thing About It
How do you resolve the unsettling? The whys?
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