“Hi Jimmy! Did you ever meet my Dad? I used to think he was an old fuddy-duddy, but he is really a brilliant man! He has the answer to just about everything!”

“I’d like to meet your dad, Willie. I’ve got a list of questions here that sure stumped me!”

“O.K. wise guy, I’ll bite. Fire away!”

“I’m not trying to be funny. I picked this up on e-mail. It was written years ago, by a popular preacher of that day. Here goes:”

There is much I do not know; there is much I cannot know.

I do not know what a day may bring forth. I do not know what tomorrow has in store for me. I do not know what will be the outcome of the things I undertake.

I do not know where the path of life may lead me before I reach its end. I do not know where sorrow awaits along the way or where death lurks. I do not know where I may come across something which I would like to escape.

I do not know when I may be afflicted with sickness or disease. I do not know when I may be called upon to pass through a fiery trial or when tragedy may strike. I do not know when a loved one may be taken away or when I shall be called to join those who have gone before.

I do not know why sorrows come into our lives. I do not know why innocent people are called upon to suffer for the sins of others. I do not know why things which I desire are denied me nor why things which I would avoid are thrust upon me.

I do not know how the flesh can stand the suffering which it is sometimes called upon to endure. I do not know how the soul can go through the waters deep and chill which threaten to engulf it. I do not know how to reconcile God’s love for men with the terrible tragedy and suffering which divine providence visits upon them.

But I do not need to know what nor where nor when nor how nor why, because I know Whom. “I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12).

In the Lord Jesus Christ I find Him perfectly revealed. The God I know is a God of love. His love is manifest in the death of Christ on the cross for our sins. He loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).

The God I know is wise. He is the author of all wisdom and all knowledge. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). The God I know is omnipotent. He upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

I can trust Him who is Himself perfect love and power and wisdom. He knows what I need and understands what is best for me, and He will not permit anything else to come into my life, and He will give me strength to meet it.

Do you know Him?

--The Bible Friend, November 2002

“Problem is, Jimmy, they make caskets in all sizes and lengths. Have you ever thought seriously about eternal things?”

“Wait a minute! You’re preaching to me now! I’m just a teenager. I’ll think about those things when I get older.”

“Just one more question, Jimmy. Do you ever read the Obituary Column?”

“Of course not! Who wants to read about dead people!”

“My Dad called attention to the fact that graves come in all sizes. A lot of things we are unable to know, but we can Know Jesus as our personal Savior and that makes us ready to die.”

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands (Apostle Paul). For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6,7 NKJB).

“Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJB).