More Valuable Than Answers

It has been an article of faith since my earliest days that you do not question God. God is God and you are not, so keep quiet and unquestioningly accept whatever happens. But there has always been a nagging feeling in my spirit that this statement is unacceptable. This feeling was confirmed when I had children of my own and I looked at this issue from a father’s perspective. If my kids have a question, then they are free to ask it. I may choose not to answer it. I may not be able to communicate the answer to them. But I do not punish them for asking. (Although I do still expect obedience).

Those who say that we must not question God cite several concerns. There is an assumption that asking God questions infringes on His sovereignty and is in some way disrespectful. Or there is a concern that to ask questions of God shows a lack of faith or trust in His all sufficiency. Surely it is a sign of arrogance to ask questions of God?

I respectfully disagree. In fact, I am convinced we must ask God our questions for at least three reasons:

1) It puts us in a position of humility. When I ask a question, it is a tacit confession that I am unable to get the answers myself. It is not arrogance to ask a question, it is putting yourself in a position of dependency. Asking a question implies humility and a trust from the petitioner to the petitioned.

2) Asking questions about the conditions of this world implies a rejection of living in a sinful world. If we ask no questions, then we tacitly accept the injustice and the misfortune of this world. We should rage against the poverty and the oppression and ask God why this goes on. The satisfied ask no questions.

3) I believe that the biblical point of asking questions is not to get answers, but to see God.

Consider three brief examples from the biblical narrative.

Habakkuk asked God how he could use the Babylonians to punish Judah. God met him at the watchtower and told him to sit back and be amazed.

Job asked God a series of questions and then God appears in Chapter 38 and returns the favor. Job concludes in 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.”

On the cross Jesus quotes Psalm 22 which asks God why he has been forsaken. God does not answer him, but Jesus perfectly fulfills his atoning sacrifice.

God never promises answers to our questions. But answers are not the point of biblical questions. He gives us something infinitely more valuable than answers: He gives us His presence.

Through Dark Times

When we walk with the Lord

in the light of his word,

what a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will,

he abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Please keep us in your prayers. Blogging will be sporadic for the next few days.