How to live with Questions

We live in a world that wants every question answered now, that's why people dedicate their lives to learning, to accumulating knowledge, some of it practical some of it very theoretical. That's why of the writing of Phd's there is no end.

There is a really fascinating phrase in Daniel 12:4 which contrasts the believers confidence in the face of catastrophe, suffering and persecution and that of the unbelievers. After the horrors of Daniel's apocalyptic vision of the days of Antiochus Epiphanes IV and the end times when God's people will seem broken he is told this "But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the times of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

I need to see the contrast. In the light of the horrors that will unfold, the rising and falling of nations, kings and kingdoms, the oppression of God's people Daniel is told to seal up the scroll with the vision of future events. Not to hide it, but because after being copied and distributed another copy was written and sealed to be stored in the Persian library as a permanent record. God has revealed the future to Daniel. It is recorded so that those who trust God's sovereignty and his word will know how to live in the midst of this trial - knowing God and trusting his word.

In contrast there will be many who do not trust who will be searching frantically for answers for reasons for reassurance but they will find none.

Daniel does not have every question answered but he is given reassurance that is to enable him to "go on your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." We can live with unanswered questions by knowing God which enables us to trust in his character.