“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” (Job 38:4)
Things happen for which we have no explanation. This is the “darkness” that Job described being in. Sometimes, it is God and His ways that befuddle us; at other times we don’t get why people do what they do. We’re left scratching our heads.
When God finally gave Job an audience He didn’t clear up the mysteries behind his tragedies, He reminded him that the world was filled with many things he knew nothing about. He called Job to rest in the darkness that surrounded him.
We hate not getting to the bottom of things. We don’t like things being unresolved. There is an abundance of question marks, not only concerning yesterday but about tomorrow. We can stay up all night worrying. But the Lord gives His beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)
There is a time when we just need to close our eyes and let every unsolved mystery go. David did this when he said he would not exercise himself in “great matters, or in things too high” for him. He would not be like a fussy infant demanding a feeding. He would quiet and behave himself like a weaned child. He would patiently wait in the dark for the dawn to arise.
Darkness naturally agitates us, but the Lord trains us to rest in it. He would give us a peace that passes all understanding as we place all that concerns us into His caring hands. What and why and how and when and where can rob us of a meek and quiet spirit. Our soul cannot return to its rest while all these questions plague us. Put them to bed as you rest in the knowledge that God knows all, and that’s all that matters.