Wisdom Is Trust Now With Understanding That Comes Later | John 16:16-18

“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” — John 16:16-18 In a cryptic moment, Jesus declares, "Soon you won't see me, but soon after, you'll see me again." I understand what Jesus means by this because I already know what is going to happen to Jesus just moments from now. He will be arrested, killed, buried, and risen again. But these guys don't know that. They have no idea. This thought hasn't even crossed their minds. It's contrary to everything they assumed about the Savior. Therefore, his statement is a little confusing and irritating to them. But after his resurrection, they would understand it all, as John makes clear here. You know, Homer once said, "After the event, even a fool is wise." I think our spiritual journeys are just like this. We, like children, start off foolish and immature. Initially, we're confused by God's truth, ways, and reasoning. But as we get to know them through real-life experiences, we begin to see the wisdom of God. Everything gets clearer. We gain richer insight into what God was trying to tell us. Like a child, we mature, moving from foolish to wise. Our spiritual lives are replete with experiences just like this. Each phase and stage has something new to teach us about God's unfailing Scripture and the attributes of God's character. But we only understand them after we've been through them with God. It's through them that we see his sovereignty. And this is part of the mysterious, frustrating, and adventurous journey with God. But we must be willing to walk through the confusion, trusting his unfailing Word, until we get to the clarity that transforms us from young fools to wise believers. Here's today's challenge: Trust in God and his Word in the middle of the confusion. Preach to your thoughts and emotions God's unfailing truth. Because if Jesus knows what's going to happen to him before it happens, then he knows what's going to happen to you too. And you need to know that God's truth works even when we don't fully get it. We learn in this text from these men that if you trust in Jesus and what he says, then the understanding you need may come later. ASK THIS: Have you ever found yourself puzzled by God's plan, only to realize His wisdom later on? Reflect on a time when confusion turned into clarity, and how that experience has shaped your trust in God's unfailing Word. What specific step can you take today to trust in God and His Scripture, even when His ways seem unclear? How can you preach His truth to yourself and others, trusting that the understanding you seek may come later, just as it did for the disciples? DO THIS: Trust now, preach truth to yourself, and understanding will come later. PRAY THIS: Lord Jesus, guide me through the confusion and into Your clarity, trusting that Your unfailing Word will transform me from foolish to wise. Help me to walk with You, embracing the mysterious and adventurous journey with You, knowing that Your truth works even when I don't fully understand it. Amen. PLAY THIS: Trust In You. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller