Asking, “WHY GOD?”

 

 

Anita and I saw a VOM webinar about the brutal incarceration of three pastors because of their faith. Their experiences were so horrid that their faith succumbed. Only later, did their faith return.

 

Their experiences had been humbling. They never thought that they’d betray their faith, even temporarily.

 

There are times of suffering that are so intense that we can easily lose hope, no matter how mature we might be. We are not prepared for the “fiery ordeal” (1 Peter 4:12). Jesus warned that our ordeal will be fiery:

 

·       “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

 

Paul warned us that there are times of darkness when only faith can illuminate our way:

 

·       Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

 

I often make a big mistake. I compulsively worry and try to control the outcomes and then become disappointed with God when my worries get the best of me. However, these verses assure us that our Lord will “provide the way of escape” and not us.

Therefore, we needlessly worry and try to control what we cannot control:

 

·       “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

 

If our Lord is number 1 in our lives, He will provide. We all have our limits. We are little more than an insubstantial mist, which quickly vanishes once the sun arises:

 

·       Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16)

 

Instead, out hope must be in Jesus alone (John 15:4-5). Nevertheless, we want to know why our Savior allows us to go through the fire, but often, we fail to comprehend why. When our suffering does not conform to our expectations, we feel that we can no longer trust God.

 

One of the three imprisoned pastors despaired when he failed to understand why God hadn’t manifested Himself amid his brokenness. Later, he accepted that he couldn’t answer this question. Instead, he learned he had to shelve some of his tormenting questions. He had to remember and refocus on what he did know and to re-commit himself to rejoicing:

 

·       “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

 

God’s merciful love is often expressed as a tough love. Elizabeth Elliot wrote about a woman who was born without any legs. However, the woman was absolutely joyful and declared that, despite her disability, God had fulfilled all her dreams. (Keep a Quiet Heart)

 

This might sound callous, but our circumstances are not the most important thing. Trusting in God, even when we don’t understand, is what matters most:

 

·       Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

Our understanding is nearsighted. Therefore, when we live according to it, we cannot see beyond our nose. Everything that fails to conform to our understanding and expectations is seen as a painful disappointment.

 

In a matter of three weeks, my back went into contractions twice. I was more than disappointed. It threw our plans into disarray. It also left me convinced that my life is an overwhelming burden. Because I was leaning on my own understanding, I became depressed. I wasn’t trusting that God was working these “setbacks” for good (Romans 8:28). I still don’t see it, but I am learning to trust God’s judgments in favor of my own.

 

The three pastors had also learned this excruciating lesson! For a while, they had ceased to believe that God had been working their experiences for their good. Only in retrospect were they able to see otherwise.

 

Must we always be able to provide the perfect answer to any question? Even the scientist or doctor cannot! When our field of inquiry also includes the Creator of all, we shouldn’t expect to have the perfect and comprehensive answer. To believe otherwise is hubris!