ETERNITY

[Ranb2khz]

Promises, Not Explanations

Scripture:

"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12

We all have legitimate questions: Why did this happen? Why didn't that happen? And of course, I have mine, too. But the truth is, even if we had some of the most troubling questions in our hearts answered, we wouldn't be satisfied. The answers would only raise more questions! The Bible doesn't promise us a peace that necessarily gives understanding, but it promises a peace that passes human understanding:

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7

I received a letter from Warren Wiersbe, a great author and Bible teacher, after my son went to heaven. He said, "As God's children we live on promises, not on explanations. And you know as well as I do the promises of God." He went on to say, "When we arrive in heaven, we will hear the explanations, accept them, and we will say, 'May God be glorified.' "

In my time of grieving, I found myself with many questions and didn't seem to have many answers. Nevertheless, here's what I know for sure: I know my son, Christopher Laurie, is with the Lord. And I know one day all of my questions will be answered. In our opening Scripture we read, "We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist." The King James Version says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly."

It reminds me of a car with tinted windows. Someone drives by, and you're straining to look through the glass. You're saying, "Who's in there?" That's how it is for us sometimes. We try to look at heaven. We try to figure out the big questions of life. But it's hard to make it out. Maybe we see a little silhouette, but we're not even sure about that.

But one day the view will be clear to the farthest horizons, and we will see as clearly as God sees us now. Until that time, "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2014-08-22.html