Questions

---

Have you ever come before the Lord and questioned Him?
I know that I have—many times throughout my life.

I’ve questioned Him about my personal journey, about events in our culture, our nation, and even the world. Perhaps you can resonate with some of these questions—questions that faithful men and women in Scripture also asked.

Abraham sought understanding when he asked, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?” And when God revealed His plans concerning Sodom, Abraham asked, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

Sarah, unable to foresee the possibility, asked in disbelief, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure—especially when my husband is so old?”

Moses, wrestling with insecurity, asked, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?” and “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me?” He pleaded, “O Lord, I’m not good with words… please send someone else.”

Gideon, filled with doubt and longing for assurance, asked, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?” and “How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest.” He pleaded for a sign.

David, with raw honesty born from deep relationship, cried out, “O Lord, why do You stand so far away?” “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” and “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

Jeremiah, burdened by the cost of his prophetic calling, lamented, “Why do the wicked prosper? Why are evil people so happy?”

Habakkuk cried out, “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but You do not listen? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing?”

Jonah, angered by God’s mercy toward his enemies, said, “Didn’t I say before I left home that You would do this, Lord?”

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, doubted God’s promise and asked, “How can I be sure this will happen? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Mary, however, asked from a place of wonder rather than disbelief: “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

And finally, the disciples questioned Jesus in moments of fear, faith, and confusion:
“Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?”
“What must we do to do the works God requires?”
“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Each of these questions had an underlying motivation and a proper place. I am not saying we should refrain from asking God questions—we absolutely should. But when we approach Him, we should do so with honor, recognizing that He is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful, and also with honesty, laying our hearts fully before Him.

What I’ve learned over the years is that sometimes God answers, sometimes He is silent, and other times He answers in ways I never expected. In every case, the questions reveal the posture of the heart.

But what about when God questions us?

Throughout Scripture, God’s questions probe identity, presence, repentance, faith, obedience, justice, purpose, wisdom, compassion, and devotion.
“Where are you?”
“Who told you that you were naked?”
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
“Is it right for you to be angry?”
“Who do you say I am?”
“Do you love Me?”

These questions are not for God’s information—they are for our transformation.

It has become clear to me that whatever action God chooses to take, it is always the right one. Often, after a season of questioning or lamenting—after not understanding why God acted or didn’t act in a particular way—I find myself, like Habakkuk, moving from questioning into worship.

I’m reminded of Isaiah 55:9:
“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

And 2 Peter 3:8–9:
A day is like a thousand years to the Lord… The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.

I may see the trees, but God sees the entire forest. He is a providential God with a providential plan—one my finite mind cannot fully comprehend.

Recently, after a season of questioning and lamenting over what is happening in our world, I was reading my daily devotions and found myself in Romans 11. At the end of the chapter, I reread words already highlighted in my Bible:

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways… For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory.” (Romans 11:33–36)

Over the years, I have found God to be faithful—bringing clarity when I least understood. When we walk intimately with Him, His words truly come alive: “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”

Even when we don’t understand everything, He gives us a peace that surpasses understanding.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart—I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Our role, in the midst of questions and chaos, is to be bearers of hope and producers of lasting fruit.

My Becoming Group is currently studying Secrets of the Vine, which focuses on John 15. It describes four stages of fruit-bearing: no fruit, some fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.

We can live a life consumed by questions—or we can choose to abide and bear fruit.

And in all of it, may our hearts echo the words of Psalm 103, remembering who God is, what He has done, and why He is worthy of our trust.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and let everything within me bless His holy name, remembering and never forgetting all His gracious deeds—how He forgives every sin, heals every disease, redeems our lives from the pit, and crowns us with steadfast love and compassion. He satisfies us with good things and renews our strength like the eagle’s, executing righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. The LORD has made His ways known, revealing Himself as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, not dealing with us according to our sins nor repaying us as our iniquities deserve. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Like a father who has compassion on his children, the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him, for He knows our frailty and remembers that we are dust—our days fleeting like grass and flowers that fade. Yet from everlasting to everlasting, the loving devotion of the LORD endures for those who fear Him and keep His covenant. His throne is established in heaven, His kingdom rules over all, and so all His angels, hosts, servants, and every work in every place of His dominion join in this eternal call: Bless the LORD, O my soul.”