Job 38:1-4 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Ecclesiastes 8:17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Romans 11:33,34 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?
It almost seems absurd to write a blog about something that cannot be understood according to the five senses. God repeatedly tells us in Scripture that it is impossible to fully understand His ways. Every child of God has his or her list of “Why?” or “What?” events in their life. Saints in Scripture asked the same questions. Thus, walking by faith means that we do not lean on our own understanding. Throw out all set patterns of “if you do this then that will happen all the time.” This is simply not true. Why does James get beheaded and Peter released from prison when both are prayed for? Why does Jesus only heal one man at the pool that is crowded with sick and impotent folks (John 5)?
Life on earth is not the way it was created to be. Sin has scarred everything. Even sin itself is called “the mystery of iniquity” (2 Thessalonians 2:7). As a young pastor, I knew everything (not really). Every counseling session and hurt I was faced with was filtered through my naive view of seeing through a glass darkly. Just do this and “Poof!”, everything will be all right! Foolish. As an older pastor, I am very hesitant to jump to simple conclusions when confronted with problems of the Why’s and What’s of God’s precious people. But this I do know. The gospel of Jesus Christ IS The answer to all of life’s questions. The gospel promises believers the presence of Jesus in this life, and a promise of a new heaven and earth whose Builder and Maker is God. Suffering Saint, believe the gospel. Bewildered Saint, believe the gospel. Seeking sinner, stricken with despair and hopelessness, repent of your sin and believe the gospel. Neither Job nor his friends had a clue as to why Job was suffering the way he was. Neither do you nor I. The Great Commission is not a call to go and figure out all of the “contradictions” and “unfairness” of life on earth. It is to go into all the world and preach The Gospel with this one absolute promise: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
