“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21)
So much in our world is in need of interpretation. We are often astonished and perplexed. “What does this mean?” “What is this about?” “How could this happen?”
Job was astonished by what happened to him. It was unfathomable. But his friends had answers that gave no light. He told his friends what they were better off doing: “Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.” (Job 21:5) In other words, “Don’t be so smart. Join me in my astonishment, and refrain from giving me your two cents.”
We are all in the dark at one time or another. But things get darker for us when we start to “fill in the blanks.” God has good counsel for us: “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” (Isa. 50:10)
Trust God with all your heart, and don’t lean to your own understanding. God warns us what will happen if we create our own little fire to give us light: “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” (Isa. 50:11)
Job waited for God to show up. In the middle of our darkest night, when we are most astonished, it is time for us to sit in silence and wait for God to arise and give us His light. “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness …” (Ps. 112:4)
The gateway into light is through thanksgiving. Give God thanks in advance for each and every thing, no matter how mysterious they are. Don’t become vain in your imaginations. Lay your hand upon your mouth. All will be made crystal clear in due time. For now, enter God’s gates with thanksgiving. Worship Him in the dark.