Questions

Meditation
Psalm 10:1--Lord, why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
Ecclesiastes 7:10--Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” since it is not wise of you to ask this.
Jeremiah 12:1--You will be righteous, Lord, even if I bring a case against You. Yet, I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous live at ease?
Habakkuk 1:13--Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate those who are treacherous? Why are You silent while one who is wicked swallows up one who is more righteous than himself?
Matthew 13:10—Then the disciples came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
Mat.17:19--Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
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​There is that stage in a child’s life when questions never seem to end.  “Why Mommy?” can change from melodic cuteness to dripping rain.  Yet, we must be careful not to let our impatience squelch curiosity.  Jesus loved the children and admonished His disciples not to prevent them from coming to Him.  I suspect He loved their questions, their innocence and uncontained affection.  

Have you ever felt restricted from asking God questions that burn inside your heart?  Is there a sense that Christians are supposed to have all the answers—that questioning is a sign of immaturity?  I, for one, am skeptical of those who always have some pat solution.  Sometimes even a “spiritual” bucket can contain hogwash.

The Bible illustrates a variety of questions that godly people felt free to send heavenward.  It reveals that God is big enough to address humongous dilemmas.  It also indicates growth often in the lives of those who dialogue with Him.  King David is a great example of this.  He wrote psalms that began questioning God.  Yet in the end, we find him praising the Father He didn’t understand. 
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Questions can be an excuse to avoid obeying the Lord, or a sign that we lack faith.  But there are also those times when our hurt boils to the surface and we need to ask, “Why God?” assured that He is glad we ran to Him.
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Life is full of quandaries.  Better to be honest about what we don’t know than to give the appearance that we have all the answers.  Who is omniscient, the Creator or the created?
 
Inspiration
It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.—James Thurber
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)