When We Just Don't Know

Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭3,‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 

Revelation 7:13-14a, ESV

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.”  

I was reading the above passage in Revelation recently, and John’s response to the elder’s question reminded me of Ezekiel’s response to God’s question at the valley of dry bones.

Both men were basically saying, “I don’t know, Lord, but you do.”

Most of us are trying to do the best we can with what we know. We’re trying to follow God. We’re trying to believe what God wants us to believe. We’re trying to see what God wants us to see and do what God wants us to do. 

And sometimes we just come to a place where we are saying to God, “Lord, I just don’t know. I don’t know what you want. I don’t know what you see. I don’t know what you’re doing.” 

It’s not doubt or unbelief; rather, it’s an unsuredness of the will of God due to a lack of understanding—and a weariness of soul. 

Both men in the above passages were in difficult situations. Both were exiles. Ezekiel was a young man called to prophesy during the time when the Babylonians had conquered Judah, and John was an old man called to prophesy during the time when the Romans were persecuting the Church. 

And both men were given visions that undoubtedly lit a fire of hope and passion within them and refreshed their weary souls.

God does not shame us when we don’t understand his will, nor does he need us to pretend like we do. He will make his will known in our lives in a way that is unique to us and unique to our circumstances. 

And, when we’re weary of soul, he will light a fire of hope within us that will keep us burning—and keep us journeying.