We Know Not How

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

Jesus teaches often about the kingdom of God, referring to His unseen but very real realm of activity on earth. His is a supernatural domain that divinely supersedes yet coincides with our earthly one in ways we cannot fully know or understand. He suggests that man both scatters and sows the seed of His word, and He makes that seed sprout, take root, and grow. Man is responsible for the practical and willful, He for the spiritual, mysterious, and hidden that makes flourishing possible. (Mark 4:3-9,14-20; 1 Corinthians 3:6)

When we are startled by an unexpected turn of events, or jolted to a new harsh and alarming reality, we might wonder at God’s purpose, or whether He’s involved at all. What we know and see makes little sense. Yet, like comprehending that a seed germinates and takes root in dark soil below the surface, we can trust His design, plan, reasons, love, timing, and ordering of all things well. There are many things we do not and cannot know, but we can know that the King of the universe does, and works everything for good and eternal purposes. (Psalm 119:68; Mark 7:37; Romans 8:28)

What current circumstance has us wondering what God is doing, how He can possibly be working, how He can redeem? Is there unsettledness at work, conflict in a relationship, insecurity about an uncertain future? Have the hypothetical questions begun to pepper our minds, and tension or fear or doubt settled in?

Would we trust and welcome God at the helm to stir up the soil of our hearts and habits, fertilize our character, do what’ it takes’s needed to conform us to His image? Meditating on His unchanging nature will help us trust the Who when questions persist. Praise be to God for His conviction of sin, purposeful sanctification, and unseen but palpable guidance, inspiration, and comfort! (John 16:8; Romans 8:29; 2 Timothy 1:12)

“I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

But, I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.” ~Daniel Whittle (1883)

Lord, help me in every situation where I know not how, what, where, or why, to know You and make You known.

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

And amen.