Farther Along We’ll Understand Why

Daily Devotional – Monday, May 8, 2023
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV)

W.B. Stephens was grappling with the issue of God’s fairness in dealing with human beings, when he wrote the song, Farther Along. This Southern gospel song mirrors the thoughts of Asaph when he states, “I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalms 73:3).

Why do the Wicked Prosper?

In the first stanza, Stephens writes:
Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder,
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested though in the wrong.

Christians wrestle with these and related issues often. We wonder why God fails to answer our most sincere prayers, allows us to be sick, and denies us what we feel are opportunities for growth and prosperity. Even more frustrating, God takes long to offer explanations, if He ever does.

We’ll Understand It All By And By

Stephens, though, offers a panacea to our worries in the song’s refrain:
Farther along we’ll know about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, don’ worry, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.

In essence, there are countless happenings and issues we may not understand for now. However, as our walk with Jesus deepens, we will begin to appreciate God’s actions or inactions. The more mature in faith we are, the clearer the purposes of God will become.

Our Understanding Will Deepen

Here is Paul’s take on the issue of maturing spiritually, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Yes, a time is coming when we will look back and admit that God was right when we thought he had erred or forgotten us.

Indeed, Stephens looks forward to the second coming of Jesus, when the pieces of the puzzle will fit. He says, in the last stanza:
When we see Jesus coming in glory,
When He comes from His home in the sky;
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,
We’ll understand it all by and by

Farther Along, We Will Understand Why

If you feel desperate because you cannot understand God’s acts of commission or omission, have faith. As you commune with God daily, He will reveal Himself to you gradually. You will look back and realize your greatest disappointments were demonstrations of God’s mercy and care.

Farther along, we will understand why. For now, we must trust in the goodness of God. We must believe than in all things, good or bad, God has noble intentions for us. Soon, we will sit with Him in the context of eternity and He will answer all our questions.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, Farther along, I will understand why. Increase my faith that I may follow you even when I have no answers to my perplexities.