NASA scientists speculate that the visible universe-planets, stars, galaxies, and whatever else is observable with a telescope-makes up less than five percent of what's out there. The rest is composed of what they call "dark matter" and "dark energy."

  If we humans are limited in our ability to see the physical universe, then what about our ability to understand the spiritual realm? According to Ephesians 6:12, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against ... spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." How little we know about what's happening behind the curtain-the battle between Christ and Satan for the possession of every soul!

  Acknowledging the limits of our spiritual vision could serve us well when questioning Daniel's absence on the plain of Dura. Where was he when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were cast into the fiery furnace? In the narrative portions of Daniel's book, he is the central character in chapters 1, 2, and 6, and he plays a supporting role in chapters 4 and 5. Yet in chapter 3, he doesn't even make a cameo appearance.

  So, where was he when his friends were being tested? Did the king spare him from this test? Was he on a traveling assignment? We can only speculate. We don't know where Daniel was, and if we needed to know, the Bible would have told us.

  Concerning the Bible's mysteries, it's important to remember the thought in today's verse: "As the heavens are higher than the earth," so God is higher than us. If He wasn't, then we would know everything He knows! Moreover, in our fallen state, much that is spiritual appears as "dark matter." As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "Now we see in a mirror, darkly" (ASV). But soon the curtain will open, and we'll see God "face to face." Then, the mysteries that have been darkened by sin will be seen in the light of His glory.

  Reflect: Am I using the mysteries in the Bible as an excuse to ignore what it clearly teaches?