I have always been fascinated by mysteries. I love the thrill of a good case that needs to be solved. To be able to solve the mystery, one must do their very best to understand all pieces of the puzzle. All clues must be carefully filtered through. Suspects must be weeded out. All information regarding the case must be sought after. Once all of this has been done, it is very likely that case is ready to be solved. Every mystery that I have ever seen or attempted to solve have had this in common: With diligent searching, you can find them out.
However, there is one mystery in this world that cannot be solved. We find this mystery in Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
The bottom line is this: There are some things about God that He is not revealed to us; and there are some things about God that He has chosen to reveal to us.
Even Solomon, the one to whom we ascribe was the wisest man on the earth, would even document these words:
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth...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; year further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Here is the truth to both of these passages: You cannot understand God’s ways.
The infinite ways of God are a mystery to the finite mind of the human race.
There is the temptation however, to try and understand the ways of God in our life. Why would God allow the diagnosis of cancer in my life or the life of someone that I love? Why would God be okay with the hardship of infertility in the life of that couple. Why would God allow the devastating news of a miscarriage? Why would God allow my loved one to pass away suddenly without me being able to say goodbye? Where was God when my parents got a divorce? Where was God when my dad lost his job?
So many areas of our life can be affected in such a way that we really want to know the answer to the mystery! But the reality is, we cannot understand why God does what God does. We can however, just trust, just depend on Him.
The last part of that verse in Deuteronomy tells us that those things that we do understand, we are accountable to do. God does not expect us to know all the answers to our difficulties, but He does expect us to listen to His Word and obey what He teaches.
Rather than focusing on solving the mystery of your life’s difficulties, focus on serving the Lord and on the blessings that He has brought into your life.
1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Going through something in your life that is mysterious to you? Just trust. Just depend.