Asking the Hard Questions Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) When life got him down, Asaph, one of King Davids key men, cried out to God and asked Him some hard questions. He asked, Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious, or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? (Psalm 77:7-9). Asaph wasnt the only man in the Bible to ask God hard questions. In the Book of Job, we find that in his suffering, Job asked hard questions. After losing his family, and everything he had, he argued his case before God, but even when Gods answers may not have been what he expected, he never lost faith. Tragedy can challenge our faith and raise many questions. Questions like: Why is this happening? Where is God when it hurts? Why doesnt He do something? Where is the protection He promised? God isnt offended when we ask questions in our despair. He wants us to come to Him when were confused. However, like Job, its important that we learn to resist being critical of God, keeping in mind that He is the supreme ruler, the Most High, all-knowing, and in control of all things, including our lives. (See Job 38:2). So bring your heartfelt questions to God and ask Him to help you understand. But be prepared to accept His answers, even if theyre not what you expected to hear (see Job 38-41). And whatever you dont understand, acknowledge His authority, knowing that the God who created the heavens and the earth, loves you beyond comprehension, and is able to give you mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). 1. What are some of the hard questions that you want to ask God about your current circumstances? Ask those questions in prayer. What has God revealed to you? 2. On a piece of paper, write down some of the questions that you feel are yet unanswered. Then after truly giving those unanswered questions over to God in prayer, tear the paper up and toss it, as a symbol of your trust in Him with all that you dont understand. 3. Sometimes in asking God the hard questions, like Job, we can become critical of His dealings with us. In Job 38-41 God makes it clear why a creature (man) should never become a critic of the Creator. Through a series of questions God shows Job of his (mans) ignorance as compared with Gods greatness. This opens Jobs eyes to Gods ultimate authority, and he repents of his pride and rebellion. If you have criticized Gods dealings with you in your current circumstances, ask Him to forgive you. Then acknowledge that He is in full control of your life, and in all that He allows you to experience. Thank Him for loving you, and for providing all that you need to help you during this difficult trial, and for accomplishing His purposes in you through it all. Additional Scripture reading: Isaiah 55:8-9 Jeremiah 33:3 James 1:5
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 07:49:44 +0000
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