“And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:17,18)
Solomon’s greatest desire was for knowledge. He wanted to understand “the reason for things.” “I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things …” (Eccl. 7:25) We are so often dumbfounded by the events that surround us. “Why?” we ask. Why have things happened a certain way? Why is someone the way they are? Why do things have to be so hard? Why? Why? Why?
We erroneously think that understanding will bring peace and comfort to us. But Solomon discovered the opposite. Much wisdom brought much grief. More knowledge brought more sorrow. So often, what we need more than anything is a peace that passes all understanding. Job desperately wanted to know the reason for the tragedies in his life. God didn’t tell him. It was enough for him to know that God was God and he was not.
In the midst of the greatest chaos, there is a peace of God that would guard our heart and mind. We find this peace in the secret place of the Most High. Here we cast all our cares upon Him, knowing He cares for us. Our soul returns to its rest because we once again know that God hears our prayers and remains on His throne. Skies that look so dark today can be bright tomorrow. Things that are so crooked today can be straight tomorrow. Why? Because our God has been at work.
Let us know one thing: if God is our God there is always strength for today and hope for tomorrow. When we can’t understand what is going on, He knows every detail, and He knows how to bring all things to a glorious resolve.