Day 192 Why, Lord?

 

7/11/2025

 "Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?

Why do You hide in times of trouble?"

Psalm 10:1 

 

When I was a child I remember my grandfather, Papa, always discussing various topics, most of which were over the head of this small child; however, I always listened intently hoping to glean some nugget of truth, because my Papa always spoke the truth, in my eyes. Many times, after exhausting the topic, he would say that he was going to ask God about it when he got to heaven. I always thought to myself that he must be making a long list of questions, because he was curious about a lot of things. Maybe that's why I developed such an active imagination, curious about most everything! I have never lost my childlike wonder, and I hope I never do.

In Pastor Greg's "daily devo," this morning, "Questioning God," he began by asking questions that children in Sunday School may ask as, "Why did You make the giraffe with such a long neck?" Then he progressed to adult questions found in scripture regarding heroes of the Bible or situations where God may not have responded as hoped. At the end of the devotional Pastor Greg asked a question for the Harvest Discipleship group to consider and discuss with each other. He does this every day as part of his daily devotional to engage the discipleship community in lively discussions. Today's question was "What questions would you like to ask God?" Many of the members asked heartfelt questions about death, life, struggles, and whereas I may have some "wonder why" questions for Abba, I tend not to ask, because I know He has His reasons, plus I'd be asking questions all day. I do ask Abba about things He's shown me or asked me to do, so this is how I responded:

"Lord, am I doing it right? I mean, You said write the story, am I doing that or am I spinning my wheels? Please enlighten me. Lord, do You like The Chosen and The House of David? Is it okay that I watch them? I know You guide my every step, and I don't want to be hard of understanding, I trust You, Father. Am I missing something? Is there anything else I can do for my children? All I want is to do it right, Lord. And I want to see all saved and sharing Your love. Lord, ... You know. You know."

I do seek God's counsel about what I watch, and we do discuss it, or at least I feel that He answers my feeble, often ridiculous, incredulous entreaties. After all He does care about everything that concerns us, or so the Bible says, right?! Later on, after a little time had passed by, and I had scratched and scratched my itching skin, applied hydrocortisone cream, salve, even forbidden alcohol and witch hazel solution and applied ice to almost every square inch of my body (okay, I'm exaggerating...a little!), I decided to ask God another question:

"Why, O Lord, did You make mosquitoes? and botlass flies in Belize? These carnivores are vicious! Why, O why are these blood sucking mosquitoes hanging around me?? I am one huge bite!!" 

I also posted a link to a website called Bug of the Week, by Michael J. Raupp, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, as a point of reference and to add some fun to the questions, which I accomplished. One of the guys, who is also a host for a Harvest Group, agreed with that question. So I had a bit of fun with my side tracking.

The question Pastor Greg asked is one many people shun, unless of course, there's someone who is going through something serious or have to make a decision or a myriad of potential subjects about which we could drill God for an answer. When the movie The Shack came out, it was controversial, because at the start the author used a black woman to portray God's maternal side, but it was very well done. The story is very sad, but I have watched it more than once over the years. It has helped me through some rough places.The main character, outside of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, was a man who had lost his small daughter to a merciless serial killer who preyed on little girls, murdered them savagely, and hid them. The movie is about healing, discovery, and drawing closer to a God who is infinitely wise and all knowing, but whose ways we cannot begin to comprehend. When we question why God allows the guilty to kill innocent children, then allows them to live, it seems as if God must not care, and yet He is the God of unconditional love. When the father, Mack, of the little girl, Missy, spends a weekend with the Trinity at the shack in the woods where her clothing and evidence of her murder were discovered, he comes face to face with God as Judge. He encounters Wisdom in a cave who changes Mack's opinion of God. The movie has a strong message, and I think it is one everyone should read, because sooner or later, in life, we will need to seek the counsel of Wisdom.

One of my favorite portions of scripture is found in Colossians 4:2-6: "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every one."

As I was writing the words of that scripture, I thought about King Solomon, who asked God for wisdom to know how to rule his people. Solomon realized that as a man he needed the counsel of a omnipotent God guiding him in the way he should go. Thanks to the Jewish nation we have the written word to turn to for wisdom, because everything we need for life and godliness can be found in the pages of His Word. Most times it takes awhile for the light bulb to come on when we are facing challenges, but God hears our prayers, and He answers them. The answer may not be what we had hoped to hear, but the word says He is not slack concerning His promises. Again, mysteries. 

As we walk with Him, abide in His presence, or as I've written before - "Find the love of Jesus, and love Him back," we begin to see in part and know in part, but we grow in faith to trust God more and more, and our questions take on new meaning.

So, what are some questions you have for God? You can ask Him anything!