I Don't Understand

Daily Reading: Daniel 12

The words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. (Daniel 12.9)

Devotional Thought: Daniel’s apocalyptic visions have come to an end.  Some of them were mysterious, leaving him wondering, “What will the outcome of all this be?”  The Lord’s response is interesting: “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.”  In other words, when Daniel said, “I don’t understand,” the Lord’s reply was, “Be about your business, Daniel.  It’s not for you to understand!”

How often, when we’ve gone to the Lord and said, “I don’t understand,” has he come back to us and said, “It’s not for you to understand”?  My guess is we’ve all experienced that phenomenon.  At those times, the issue becomes whether we can switch from interrogating God to trusting God.  Can we let go of our questions and move forward because of our confidence in his character?

Walking by faith means we will periodically encounter situations and issues we can’t comprehend.  At those times, will we continue to walk in obedience because of the confidence we have in him?  Or will our questions cause us to turn away at some level?

I’m convinced God wants us to know and understand him.  He doesn’t want to be an enigma or mystery.  But because he’s infinite and we’re finite, there simply will be things about who he is or what he’s up to that we won't fully understand.  When we encounter those circumstances, may we trust him despite the uncertainty.

John Whitsett

Prayer: Heavenly Father—I want to know you as fully and completely as possible.  But help me to also know when I need to stop asking questions and simply trust you so that my faith can flourish and grow.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 69.22-28

22 Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. 

23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see, and make their loins tremble continually.

24 Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them.

25 May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down, and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.

27 Add to them punishment upon punishment; may they have no acquittal from you. 

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.