If Thou Knowest It All

Despite all adverse elements, the past century or so has been one of profound unfoldment of truth. The mind of man has been permitted by the Almighty to penetrate what to us have heretofore been unknown realms. But because we have learned a little of what happens and a little of why it happens, we may make the mistake of supposing that we know more than we do. Knowing a little something of the laws and using a little something of the forces of the universe, we would do well to remember always that we are but the timid discoverers and not the creators thereof. Actually it would seem that we are little nearer to answering some of the unanswered questions than was Job, so many centuries ago, when the Lord God spake to him out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? …Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding… When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? …Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?… Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? …Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all… Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? …Who provideth for the raven his food? …Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? …Hast thou given the horse strength? …Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at they command? …Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee… therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.” Surely we are much as the child who proudly proclaims his accomplishment, while a kindly parent looks on, knowing that someday the child will come to wisdom. The greater our knowledge, the greater must be our humility before God, and the more we must realize how little we know of the great unknown.