sometimes i think christians give bad advice.
i remember being told not to ask the Lord
why
why
when things happened that I didn’t understand.
things i wouldn’t have planned.
things i wouldn’t have chosen.i was taught it was disrespectful to question a holy, sovereign Lord.
things i wouldn’t have planned.
things i wouldn’t have chosen.i was taught it was disrespectful to question a holy, sovereign Lord.
the other day my husband reminded me of
the Lord Jesus’ agonizing cry
Mark 15:34
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
which is, being interpreted,
My God, my God,
why
hast thou forsaken me?
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
which is, being interpreted,
My God, my God,
why
hast thou forsaken me?
in the midst of His dying obedience,
He asked His father
why.
we know it wasn’t sin because the Lord Jesus never sinned.
why.
we know it wasn’t sin because the Lord Jesus never sinned.
i don’t think it’s wrong to ask
why?
if we ask in faith.
i don’t think it’s wrong to ask
why?
if we ask to the Lord’s face and not behind His back.
i don’t think it’s wrong to ask
why?
why?
if we ask to the Lord’s face and not behind His back.
i don’t think it’s wrong to ask
why?
if we’re willing to hear His answer.
we have a promise that the Lord Jesus didn’t experience.
He had to be forsaken from His father because He was
bearing our load of sin.
in the midst of our sufferings,
we will never be forsaken. i know, from talking to friends, reading blogs,
and hearing prayer requests,
i’m not suffering alone.
and hearing prayer requests,
i’m not suffering alone.
in the past year
parents lost children,
children lost a parents,
women have lost husbands,
husbands have lost wives.
people have lost jobs,
been diagnosed with disease,
and suffered relationship problems.
all around me i see pain and suffering.
we’re all suffering heartaches of varying degrees,
but as we weep in our agony,
may we always be on our knees,
our faces lifted to Him,
our hearts open to His Word,
so that we can hear His answer.
but, draw near to Him and His Holy Word.
draw very, very near.
He speaks in a
still, small voice,
but He speaks.
because of His sacrificial love for you,
His great plans for your future,
He will answer.
just ask
why
with
worship.
(This blog post was written just after the Innocent Man was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a crime another man committed. During this time period I wrote uncensored and unedited.)
Thanks Mindy. You continue to encourage and share from your heart through a very rough time. We continue to pray for you all.
Amen and Amen!
Thanks for the good reminder.
Your comments in your post, about loosing a child, parent….etc. and your circumstances with Mr. Innocent made me think of the Ten Boom sisters with their loses, struggles, and how they found the Lord to be faithful despite all they encountered."There is no pit so deep that God's love IS not deeper still, and, God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies."~Corrie Ten Boom~
I was also raised never to question God, and occasionally still struggle with that, but realize that God knows our heart and hears our cries and He already knows our why. Truly as was said, He is big enough to handle our whys. Continued thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I have certainly asked "Why?" through the years. He knows our hearts even before we ask. There is no hiding our thoughts and questions.
I don't know your musical tastes, but you might enjoy listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Beauty Will Rise" CD. One of the songs in particular has the same thoughts as this blog entry:Who are You God?Cause You are turning out to be so much different than I imaginedAnd where are You God?Cause I am finding life to be so much harder than I had plannedYou know that I'm afraid to ask these questionsBut You know they are thereAnd if You know my heart the way that I believe You doYou know that I believe in YouBut still I have these questionsLike how could You, God?How could You be so good and strongAnd make a world that can be so painfulAnd where were You God?I know You had to be right thereI know You never turned Your headYou know that I'm confused by all this mysteryYou know I get afraidBut if You know my heart as completely as I trust You doOh, You know that I am trusting YouSo is it true that for every tear I cry, You cry a thousand moreAs You weep with those who weepAnd are You just holding Yourself backFrom crushing all the painAnd even in this world for reasons we just can't understand for nowBut isn't there a day of redemption coming?Redemption is comingCome quickly LordCome quickly LordCome quickly LordSo who am I God?That You would raise me from the dustAnd breathe Your life and Your love into meYou know that I believe
I agree. God is big enough to handle our "Why?" questions.
Agreed.
So powerful and correct. There is nothing wrong with asking why, but we have been conditioned to think it's wrong. We all have doubt and questions. The great thing is that we have hope and a knowledge of the One with all the answers. You are a blessing even in your time of sorrow. Jan