Well, What Do You Know?

The more I study the Scriptures the more I come to know and the clearer I see things I have known before. However, as I study I also realize there is still much I do not know. Therefore I continue in the pursuit of the knowledge of the Scriptures so that I may learn what I can and be guided by it.

Donald Rumsfeld (the present Secretary of Defense for our United States) made the following statement. “Reports that say something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

Do you know what he was saying? Though it may sound confusing I think he has it right because I understand the experience in relation to the pursuit of knowledge. When I first heard his statement, the following passage came to mind.

“The SECRET THINGS BELONG TO THE LORD OUR GOD, but THE THINGS THAT ARE REVEALED BELONG TO US and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” ( Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV)

God has not REVEALED everything to us. Nevertheless, what He has should encourage us. The truths God has chosen to REVEAL we ought to HOLD ONTO. When it comes to the “unknowns” there is nothing wrong with saying, “I don’t know” rather than being like those who go on and on talking about things they really don’t understand or of which they are actually ignorant. (i.e. 2 Peter 2:12; Jude 10) God may have chosen not to REVEAL some things because He knows we couldn’t comprehend them anyway. Remember that His Ways and Thoughts are much higher than ours. ( Isaiah 55:9)

Paul referred to one [though it seems to have been himself ( 2 Corinthians 12:7)] who was caught up into paradise and heard “inexpressible words” [NKJV] that could not be told. ( 2 Corinthians 12:3-4) Perhaps what was heard or witnessed could not have been expressed or understood in human terms because it was too heavenly or spiritual to be grasped.

Yes, there are things we know and things we don’t know. There are also things we know we don’t know and probably much more we don’t know we don’t know. Let us continue to embrace what we do know, knowing the One Who has REVEALED it, and as we seek to grow in greater knowledge of His Will, let us trust God Who knows the unknowns that are not yet ours to possess.

Have a great day TRUSTING THE ONE WHO IS COMPLETELY IN THE KNOW!
Carl

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