Daniel 12:8,9
‘But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.”‘
In the immediate sense Daniel’s words were about the end times. He asked their meaning, but weren’t for him to understand. He’s told, “Go your way.” The angel does give him an answer to these matters a few verses earlier, ‘But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase”, (v. 4). I think we are in the end times. I also think the angel’s words have been fulfilled. Knowledge has increased, so has technology which has fulfilled many of the mysterious things the bible has foretold.
One of the matters the ancients couldn’t understand was how the antichrist could give a number on the hand or forehead that would keep track of all buying and selling. Computers are a modern invention that has taken the mystery out of it.
I can see other applications for the angels words for us. Much happens to all of us that cause questions to arise. We want answers and understanding. Some times God will give us insight. Most of the time He doesn’t. We have to do what Daniel is told and go our way. We have a phrase that is “need to know”. Which means some things we need to know and others we don’t. They are not our business. Have peace for those matters that aren’t for us.
Much of the matters we come against we won’t get answers to. Our job is to trust them to the Lord. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Our desire for understanding can get us into trouble. Leave them to Him.
When we come to Christ we make Him our lord. This takes time. We will never have a perfect handle on it. We learn to “go our way”, meaning we don’t need to know, so don’t worry about it. Trust Him.
God wants us to have peace and joy. We won’t have those if we are worried about getting all the answers. Leave it to Him. In the mean time praise Him. Rejoice that He does understand. He will give us His peace if we trust Him. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace is so wonderful. It’s a quiet, contented joy. We have rest. It disappears when we sin. It returns when we repent. It’s one of the results of His abiding presence in our lives.
It’s a blessing not to know all things. It would cause us to worry and we would lose God’s peace. Some knowledge is bad. Look at what our first parents leaned at the fall, “the knowledge of good and evil”. We weren’t supposed to know those things. They lost their innocence and we were corrupted. They immediately saw that they were naked and shame entered. I see the arrogance of the Apple label, the one with the bite out of the apple. They are celebrating all knowledge, not acknowledging sin. As parents we shield our kids from things that are inappropriate for them. There is much that we should not expose ourselves to. Lord, give us wisdom to leave some things alone.
Thank You, Lord, for shielding us. Thanks for the wisdom You give us to stay away from others. Thank You for the peace and protection.