Do You Understand?

Matthew 13:51 (ESV) “Have you understood all these things?”They said to him, “Yes.”

I have sometimes prayed to the Lord for direction or wisdom and then felt trapped in what felt like a protracted, inescapable conundrum. I have sometimes prayed, and then, in unbelief, expected that the Lord would not answer plainly and that I would have to figure things out for myself. This short verse corrects my unrenewed thinking.

First the Lord taught those that came to hear Him. Then, with tenderness, He checked to see that they really understood His teaching. Do you see this tenderness? I am struck by the Lord’s tender care: “So do you get it? Do you understand?” He wants us to understand.

Sometimes the Lord has to teach us many things before we understand, and this can take a while. Don’t be discouraged if you feel trapped in a conundrum. He’s preparing you so that you can really grasp the wisdom and direction that you have requested. He does answer, and he’s not trying to make you sweat.

I am reminded of how Thomas doubted the resurrection, and the Lord told Thomas to put his hand into His scars (John 20:27). He could have said, “Well, that’s just too bad that you don’t believe.” But no. The Lord wanted him to understand. He wanted him to believe. And he did.