To Know

I live in the need-to-know camp. As a child, I wanted to be in the know when adults conversed and the family made plans. I wanted to be the first to tell others when big news hit. It was delightfully sweet to have firsthand information and juicy gossip.

As an adult, I’m finding the more I know, the less I know. Life is complicated and doesn’t provide nice pat answers. I wonder if things are elusive by design, so that we will rely on God instead of ourselves? After all, if we know it all, why do we need God?

Self-sufficiency is foolish.

~Proverbs 28:26 (author paraphrased)

Knowledgeable

Daniel was considered wise and righteous yet asked for understanding (Daniel 12:8). The messenger said it was not for Daniel to know. Instead, he needed to move along from the questions. If he wasn’t expected to figure it out, then I should not be concerned with discerning what is ahead. I must trust God’s provision because He is the only one who needs to know. The rest of us just need to trust His plan.

Going to the fiery furnace probably confounded Dan’s friends. Hadn’t they obeyed the Lord in their exile? Hadn’t they already lost everything when their enemies took them from their families and moved them to Babylon? But they affirmed they would trust God regardless of the outcome.

Knowing

Paul’s thorn in the flesh caused great consternation. God never told Paul why he struggled so much with this malady. Eventually, Paul realized he was better off not knowing. Ignorance caused him to lean on God’s strength instead of his own.

He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.

~2 Corinthians 12:9 NLV

Know-How

Solomon also asked for a discerning heart.

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

~1 Kings 3:9 NIV

To Be Known

Is it better to have all the answers? Perhaps. But maybe not. Maybe it’s better for God to nudge us into comforting communion with Him because He knows all things and has our best interests at heart.

Think of some things you want to understand but don’t.

Father, forgive me when I am consumed with a need for answers. Help me to trust Your plan even when I don’t understand.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Need to Know: Sally Ferguson: All Rights Reserved