1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

It is verse 13 that is most famous around the world, but in recent years I have come to appreciate this verse more and more. It seems particularly important when we live in what is called the Information Age. There are various aphorisms that relate to this, like “Knowledge is power,” and “Information is wealth.” However, the fact of the matter is that our knowledge and information, even if correct, are incomplete at best, and often enough, they are simply incorrect. Genuine wisdom requires a fundamental humility that acknowledges that reality, and many of our information sources seem to lack that. It’s not that all information is wrong, by any means, but it does mean that the vast majority of information is incomplete. We need to examine our sources, and know that God is the only one who is omniscient. It is particularly risky to trust “experts” when the Holy Spirit within us is indicating something different. The recent “pandemic,” as well as all the “climate change” hysteria, are good examples of that. Very recently there have been prophecies of “the rapture,” or Christ’s return, setting specific dates. That sort of thing, at least, we can be sure is wrong, because Jesus Himself said very clearly, on repeated occasions, that it will happen very suddenly, and no one knows the date or time. This is where faith comes in. We can indeed be sure of things we cannot see, as Hebrews 11:1 famously tells us. The Holy Spirit can inform our hearts of things that are otherwise unverifiable, but that doesn’t mean they are wrong or incorrect. We need to trust God above all, asking Him to reveal to us what we need to know and not being anxious about all the rest. This in no way negates scientific inquiry, but that is an area where the humility I mentioned at the start is often strikingly lacking. We need to remember that God’s smart and we aren’t.

This has been an issue for me all my life. I’ve always been a knowledge junkie, absorbing information of all sorts, much of it totally useless! However, God has surprised me from time to time by causing me to make use of what I had thought of as random information of no particular value. I have always had a high IQ, and pride has been a major snare for me. It’s not been many years since the last sentence in the previous paragraph really came home to me! That’s why this verse is so precious to me right now. I have finally learned that I don’t have to know everything at this point! God told me several years ago to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, and that applies in the knowledge area as well.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the truth You have already poured through me in this meeting, and for the opportunity I will have for more of that later this morning. I pray that I wouldn’t try to cook up something pious, but rather allow You to speak through me what You want my hearers to know, drawing them to You for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!