"We think it so essential that we should form a judgment of what the Lord is doing. It is better to trust, to submit, to obey, to love than to know. Let the Lord alone; He is doing rightly enough, be sure of that." - Biblical Illustrator - New Testament
"We do not know perfectly any of His works, either of creation, providence, or grace. It is enough that we can love and obey now, and that we shall know hereafter." - John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
"God's providence, like the Hebrew letters, are often to be read backward." - Flavel
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"We see things sometimes in their beginnings, but not in their close."
"We...are incompetent to comprehend the Divine procedure."
"In our Lord's doings there is much which we cannot understand."
"The conduct of God will appear, on the least consideration, too vast and complicated ever to be comprehended by man."
"That whatever difficulties there may be surrounding other things, and however ignorant we may be respecting them, there is at least one thing plain - the path of duty."
"...it is always a hard thing for an active and energetic mind to see the wisdom of being compelled to do nothing. It is hard to be put on the shelf among the cracked pottery, while yet you feel you could be useful if you had but strength to leave your chamber."
- all of the above quotes are taken from the Biblical Illustrator - New Testament
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You may be in the midst of the worst spiritual battle that you have ever encountered in your walk with the Lord. You may have cried out to Him for answers - wisdom in knowing the "why's" and the "wherefore's" - and still have not received an explanation.
A question you need to ask yourself at this point is - Will you ever be able to understand the Providence of God - why He does what He does when He does it?
We believe that the answer to that question - as well as all answers to life's problems - can be found in the Holy Bible.
In John 13:12, the Lord Jesus asked His disciples a very startling question - "...Know ye what I have done to you?" He happened to ask this question right after He did something that was very shocking to them - that is, after washing their feet. Did they understand what He was doing? Absolutely not! Oh! They knew the outward action, but they certainly didn't understand the "mystery" behind it. They didn't comprehend the meaning or design - the intent of the instruction - of what He just did.
Jesus knew that they didn't have the foggiest idea of what He was trying to convey to them - so why did He ask them - "...Know ye what I have done to you?"
He threw that question out to them in order to make them sensible of their need for instruction...to raise their desires and expectations...and to show them their total dependency upon Him for wisdom and knowledge.
In the next verse, He is recorded as making a very powerful statement - "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am" (John 13:13). What is the role of a "Master"? He communicates, teaches, and reveals Truth. What is the role of a "Lord"? He issues laws and rules - while at all times requiring obedience and honor.
Jesus was their "Master" and "Lord." Hence, He had the prerogative to rule over them and teach them in a manner that He deemed was fitting. In this particular instance, He was attempting to teach them a very valuable lesson in humility - a lesson that they would need to carry with them for the rest of their lives. However, this lesson was not only teaching them humility before men - but especially before God and His Divine Providence.
Because they called Him "Master" and "Lord," there would be times when they would not understand the course He took in their lives and ministry. They would see His hand at work, but not fully comprehend the meaning behind it. It would all be a "mystery" to them. At this point, they would simply have to submit and obey - trusting in His Love, Kindness, and Goodness toward them.
When Jesus approached Peter in order to wash his feet, Peter immediately objected - for he knew that only the lowest of slaves was assigned the job of washing feet. In no way would he allow His "Master" and "Lord" to perform such a menial task. But Jesus stopped him and said - "...What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." (John 13:7). What He was implying to His disciple was that there will be times - like right now - when you do not understand the intent or particulars of My conduct on your behalf.
However, if you will wait on My timing, I will reveal it to you. When the business is finished, you will receive revelation. It may come soon or late, but be assured of one thing, it will come. I will make it plain and clear to you. In the meantime, patiently submit to My Divine Will.
"What I do"
It's not always easy to know what the Lord is doing in your life. In fact, it's oftentimes very difficult to understand what good could possibly come from the pain, sorrow, sickness, afflictions, tragedies, losses, setbacks, disappointments, frustrations, or seeming failures that you are experiencing at the moment.
But know this - O Saint of God - that revelation follows closely upon the "mystery." Your "hereafter" will show up! What Jesus is doing in your life may not make a bit of sense now - but you will know "hereafter." It will make sense sooner or later.
Peter got his revelation sooner than he imagined. It came immediately after the act. Yours may, too!
In the meantime, as you wait for your "hereafter," take on this attitude - implicit obedience and unflinching trust in your "Master" and "Lord."
You do call Him "Master" and "Lord," don't you?
Then - "Let the Lord alone; He is doing rightly enough, be sure of that."
Acquiesce to His will now - even though you can't give a reason for it.
Be confident of this fact - He has only good intended for you!
He is a Good God! Yes, He is!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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