When We Don’t Understand

John 13:7 contains these words of the Lord Jesus – words spoken in the Upper Room, as He washed His disciples feet, before His death on the cross: Jesus said ‘What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.’

John 13:7 seems to have a wider application than just its original context. The verse reveals something of the way of God with His children. The verse suggests that at any one, particular moment, we may be in the dark concerning God’s dealings with us. We might not understand what He is doing in our lives at all. The verse also suggests that, happily, one day, all will be revealed and made plain, and, with our full hindsight, we would not want things to have been any other way at all.

Jesus’ words in John 13:7 are words to hold on to. We all have our disappointments. We all can get dreadfully disillusioned and disheartened. Circumstances sometimes knock the steam right out of us and leave us very downcast. ‘Why does life have to be like this?’ we ask. The Lord Jesus’ reply is: ‘What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.’

God Knows

Almighty God is under no obligation to reveal the reason for everything to us. He is God, and as such is not obliged to explain His ways to His creatures. The secret things belong to the LORD our God … (Deuteronomy 29:29). This being so, we will not always be able to fathom His providential working in our lives. Romans 8:28 assures us that He is working all things for our ultimate blessing – but at any one moment we might not think or feel that way.

As an example of the above, consider Joseph in the Old Testament. He was rejected by his brothers. He was sold into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt he was unjustly put into prison. How did Joseph feel? Pained and perplexed for sure. Yet, sovereignly and secretly, God was working all things out for both his and the nations good. Hence, at the end of his life Joseph, with added hindsight could say to his brothers ‘As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good …’ (Genesis 50:20). At any one moment then we may not understand God’s dealings with us. ‘What I am doing you do not know now …’ The Psalmist said Thy way was through the sea, Thy path through the great waters; yet Thy footsteps were unseen.

We Know

‘What I am doing you do not know now …’ We are ignorant of much, for sure. Our understanding is limited. Yet, if we know our Bible and if we know the God of the Bible, what we do not know should not blind us to what we do know. We know that He knows! He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

In our dark days, we may remind ourselves that we are not the only exception to the truth of Romans 8:28. Also, when we do not understand what God is doing in our lives, we may remind ourselves of the character of God Himself, as revealed in the Bible. This will encourage our faith and enable us to trust Him ‘in the dark.’ The Bible reveals that God is infinite in love and mercy. The Bible reveals that God is on the throne of the universe and is infinite in power. The Bible reveals that God is infinite in wisdom – He is incapable of making mistakes. All His ways are righteous. The Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is He (Deuteronomy 32:4). He is infinitely worthy of our trust, whatever our current circumstances.

We Will Know

Finally, remember that one day, if we belong to Jesus, God will explain to us all that has pained and perplexed us here on earth. All will be revealed. He will unroll the canvas and explain the reason ‘Why?’ And our response will surely be to praise Him all the more for His love, wisdom and grace whose depths until then largely unknown to us. ‘What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.’

Sometimes then we are called to bide our time and exercise patience. We seek God’s grace to ‘hang in there’ by faith. All will be made plain in eternity, when God gives us the full light of heavenly glory. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.

I do not know what you are currently going through or have been through – just as you do not know what I have been through. Life has its pains and mysteries as well as its joys. When we do not know what is going on though, Jesus’ words give us courage: ‘What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.’ We walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that our God does all things well and that, one day, all will be revealed, and all will be revealed to be well.

William Cowper, no stranger to the dark and perplexing providences himself, wrote the following well-known hymn:-

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform

He plants His footsteps on the sea

And rides upon the storm

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never-failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sovereign will

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense

But trust Him for His grace

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face

His purposes will ripen fast

Unfolding every hour

The bud may have a bitter taste

But sweet will be the flower

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain

God is His own interpreter

And He will make it plain