– Joe Fornear
Some onlookers may not approve, but God allows us to question Him. In fact, I think He welcomes questions.
Jesus Himself set a surprising precedent for questioning God. So I don’t think it’s a holy thing to never question Him. The Father had asked Jesus to sacrifice Himself on the cross for the sin of the world, and Jesus second-guessed the most important assignment ever. Three times in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked for a “Plan B” to avoid the pain and humiliation of the cross. Hours later while on the cross, He continued his quest to understand the plan. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” This may be the all-time most asked question of God. I doubt God ever dodges this or any question, “Come now, and let’s reason together.” – Isaiah 1:18
Centuries before Jesus, King David opened Psalm 22 with the why-forsake-me question, adding many more questions throughout the Psalms, including in Psalm 73, “Why do the wicked prosper?” He was making sense of why He, the anointed King of Israel, continually found himself running for his life – and often alone in the wilderness.
Job famously questioned God about the tragedies which had devastated his world. During one long day, his 10 children were killed in a storm and all 10,000 of his livestock were either stolen or struck by lightning. Soon after, he contracted a horrific skin disease, only to endure his friend’s questions – about how he was questioning God! This may have been his most difficult circumstance, as they buried him with pious lectures and piercing accusations. In the end, God said that in all of his responses Job had not sinned, but his friends had.
Now, I’m not suggesting that we can’t cross lines when we question God. Philippians 2:14 calls out our grumbling and complaining, which are all too human, but dangerous, as they deepen our mistrust in His ultimate goodness, leaving us even more vulnerable to spiritual oppression. And also, Romans 9 points out the arrogance of the clay (us) rebelliously challenging the potter (God) about His decisions.
Thus to enjoy His grip, and not slip through our gripes, I offer three thoughts on how to remain healthy while questioning God:
1) Like Job, determine to hold on to God’s goodness while you are seeking answers – no matter what happens.
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. – Job 13:15
2) Like Jesus in Gethsemane, decide to follow His answers when they come.
And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me (referring to the cross); yet not what I will, but what You will.” – Mark 14:36
3) Like David, deny unreliable feelings and land on God’s ultimate truths. At the end of Psalm 22, David found reassurance to his forsaken question:
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from him; but when he cried to Him for help, He heard. – Psalm 22:24
During my Stage IV cancer battle, I had to continually remind myself of what I have come to believe is a baseline truth in tackling tribulations: I may not understand how God will redeem my pain, but He sacrificed Jesus, His very best for me, to take away the eternal punishment which I deserve. Now why would He do that? Now that’s a good question! Ask Him about it… and please consider this.
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Find out more on how Joe found answers to his questions during his Stage IV cancer battle. His book, My Stronghold – A Pastor’s Battle with Cancer and Doubts, is part of our Free gift basket to cancer patients.
