Unanswered Questions
by Marilyn Ehle
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“He had James…put to death with the sword… Peter was kept in prison… Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared (and) Peter followed him out of the prison…” (Acts 12:2, 5, 7, 9)
Their child was cured; my son died. She got a promotion; I don’t earn a living wage. They own a nice home; I’m renting a hovel. They happily celebrated an anniversary; I’m still single.
Words revealing a whining spirit or simply stating facts? As I write, 19 South Korean young adults, involved in Christian humanitarian efforts, are still being held hostage in Afghanistan. We know little of their health, mental attitudes or everyday living conditions (which could indeed be harsh), but they are still alive. Two of the original group have been murdered. In the deranged minds of their captors, there was reason to kill two while keeping others alive, but for grieving friends and family, the question—perhaps deeply buried at this point—will eventually rise to the top of consciousness. Why were two killed and 19 saved?
Wives, mothers, friends of the early Christians must have struggled with the same question. About 10 years after Jesus’ resurrection and return to heaven, Christians were being persecuted. A tyrant king kills James, one of Jesus’ closest followers. We can only imagine the grief of the small faithful band. James had been part of Jesus’ inner circle. Why would God allow such horror? Then another of Jesus’ followers is imprisoned, the king intending public humiliation and certain death. But God miraculously intervenes and Peter is released. While the group of earnestly praying Christians were astonished and overjoyed at Peter’s release, we can only wonder how those emotions intermingled with tears of sorrow over the recent violent death of their friend James.
Why Peter and not James? God revealed no answer then and frequently offers no clear answer when we ask similar questions. We must fall back on what we know of the character of God: He is loving, holy, just, merciful, wise – and so much more. We, along with God-followers through the centuries, can ask our agonizing questions knowing that our loving Father stoops to whisper, “Someday, My child, you will clearly see and know. Until then, trust Me.”
~Lord, our hearts often break and our faith weakens when we must walk without clear sight, but You honored the man who said, “I believe; please help my unbelief.” Thank you that You remain faithful even when we have no faith left.
Questions: How do you respond when you ask the question, “Why” and God seems to be silent? How can we learn to trust God more?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/marilyn-ehle/
i have asked God why a lot of times. i survived breast cancer, my brother only sibbling died from lung cancer. i don’ know why it was just the way God wanted it. we must always remember He knows why and some day we will too.
God bless all
sharon b
Wow. Such words of wisdom from so many wise ladies today. Each comment has blessed my heart. THANK YOU!
I admit the human side of me thought “Why?” in 1999 when my precious “best friend”, and “faithful prayer partner”, died at the young age of 49 from ovarian cancer. Even her 78 year old mother said: “Why didn’t God take me. I have lived my life and am old. Why her, and not me?” Less than 3 weeks before this another close acquaintance, age 36 died of breast cancer. She was a former missionary, and was my church’s former youth minister’s wife. She left behind 4 precious boys under age 13. The two youngest were only 5 years old, and identical twins. Both these ladies wanted desparately to live, and God allowed me to minister to them in different ways the last 3 years of their lives. He could have healed them, and we prayed earnestly for that, but He didn’t. Yes, I asked “WHY” briefly…then the Holy Spirit nudged me to do as todays author said we must do:
We must fall back on
what we know of the character of God: He is loving, holy, just,
merciful, wise – and so much more. We, along with God-followers through the
centuries, can ask our agonizing questions knowing that our loving
Father stoops to whisper, “Someday, My child, you will clearly see and know.
Until then, trust Me.”
Proverbs 3:5,6 became my most quoted scripture during those 3 years:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.”
And
Isaiah 55:8,9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
If He never answers another prayer in the way I think He should; He is still “so worthy” of praise. PRAISE HIM!
Although there are many, many unknowns and questions we all will contemplate and freely ask the Lord our “why”s in this life. I do believe that the longer we dwell upon some of these things the less we will be able to see where God is leading and become hindered in our witness. We are called to perservere…He clearly tells us in the Word…In this world you will have trouble–but—take heart I have overcome the world! How will we share the love of Jesus and continue to glorify him through the lives we are called to live on this earth. Many who appear to have it all suffer more than the rest in their own torment. God alone knows the heart. Also, keep in mind just how did Peter die??? Yes, he was released for a time-not for his benefit but rather for the furtherence of the kingdom of God. Really, if we knew in advance would we allow the Lord his way or run kicking and screaming? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Try not to dwell of the suffering but rather on the delight that is before us as we walk humbly before our Maker. Maybe easier said than done-but still, he knows our hearts and will honor the devotion of sincerity.
May the God of all comfort and blessing stir our hearts into the lives of others that he would be glorified and lives brought into eternity with us!
Dear Sisters in HIM,
Your comments already today have such depth and am proud and blessed just reading! Wish could comment on every last one yesterday and today!! Love all of you and blessed daily by your sharings!
We “see through a glass darkly” here sometimes and must trust His Powerful hand in some things knowing that HE will use every circumstance to not only futher HIS incredible Kingdom, but cause personal growth in us as HE does! We are being “perfected”..All of us! Dorothy, your comments right on target! Sometimes HE “entrusts” things to us to bring another into the Kingdom. Chris, that is a great compliment to you from your Father in Heaven. Your forgiveness and prayers towards those types of personalities may change their Eternal destinations! HE will help you forgive and even pray blessings for them. It’s hard, no question of that, but you can do it!!
Deb, this for you..We faced foreclosure some years back, too..But, with the Lord’s help? We went into that Foreclosure Lawyer’s Big, Fancy building and HE paid every penny in full..They were astounded at this “Divine Intervention” on His Part, and we told them “God gets ALL Glory”! During that ordeal? He revealed Matthew 7:25: “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock”. There’s a plaque with that on it as you enter our home today! As we went through that battle? We gave it to Him (2nd Chronicles 20:15). We stood on Psalm 46:10..and listened carefully each day to our part in things..what HE wanted us to do. He truly does not “Leave Nor Forsake us” Hebrews 13:5..We are living proof here!! Still speaking to a mountain..But “Battle Victories along the way” AMEN!!
I don’t believe that God does not want us to question. He knows we have many thoughts and much lack of understanding about our circumstances. Do we ever question the good things in our lives. Why God have you provided so many blessings to me? Why do I have a home, job, health, family, church? Do we take these treasures for granted?
Helen Roseveare says that sometimes in very tough spots in our lives He does say – “Can you thank me for trusting you with the experience – even if I never tell you why?” Yesterday a friend told me she is convinced we need to keep focused on what God is doing and not on what He is not doing. After all He did not rescue His own Son from the agony of the cross, and what could be more painful? Yet the outcome He felt would be worth it – just to be able to spend eternity with you and me. I know I must fight daily to fix my thoughts on what He is doing. His love and care is all around me. There are so many who do not yet know this. Why spend my time focused on the lack that will always be in a fallen world? He is at work all around us…. let’s join Him. Blessings on y’all.
It’s so hard to try to walk through the days blindly, relying on God’s direction and fully trusting in His guidance and yet without that I would be like a blind man walking across a tightrope over Niagara Falls. I have to go forward, I can’t look down, and I have to fully trust that the Lord is pulling me toward Him and if I keep my focus on my Heavenly Father then I will be okay. Tragedy and death in families, and loved ones is not for us to understand or waste time interpretting, if we fully trust the Lord, then the answers are not important.
Thank You Lord, that you give us means to be able to look at others and know you are working through us to help them.Thank You Lord that you have a plan and purpose for each of us and no matter what happens it is all for your glory in one way or another. To praise you is a pleasure and an honor; to question you is wrong and robs us of the wonderous day you have given us. God often allows things to happen in our lives to test us. He knows tht going through these times will strengthen us and build our faith and character so that then we are able to help others going through these trials. God loves us all, and He walks with us. Remember the Footprints poem…when it gets too tough God will carry you..
Blessings to all my sisters in Christ..
Karen C
Wow is all I can say this morning. My heart is aching for personal reasons. I recently lost my job and I hurt seeing the finanacial burden on my husband. I know full well we could be one the statistics with a foreclosure soon. Then I remember others hurting with a pain I can’t imagine. Everyday I ask God to help me help someone else. Just to do something for someone to bless thier day no matter how small it seems. I make an effort everyday to keep prasing God in the mist of trials. I know He sees the future and knows what’s best for our paths. I put my trust and life in His hands daily.
I heard something last week…
Doing with understanding is “wisdom.”
Doing without understanding is “faith.”
My Mother passed away at the age of 46; I was 15. It wasn’t until I turned 46 did I understand how young she really was. My Father and I were in the home; my older sister had just graduated college and was now practicing her nursing degree in another state. Once I received my driver’s license the day I turned 16, I spent the next two years visiting My Mother’s gravesite every Wednesday evening before church asking God why… why did you take my Mother? I finally found peace through a piece of paper that was pinned to the kitchen curtain in my now ‘step Mothers’ home. It said, “never put a question mark where God has put a period.” It wasn’t scripture… just a statement. A few months later a scripture helped to solidify the little piece of paper. It was Proverbs 20:24 -It says, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (NLT) Since that time and with Gods grace, I have learned to live a life of acceptance through faith. I look forward to the day when I can ask God all my questions… but then I know when I see him… it just won’t matter.
Maybe God does not want them to die without knowing Him, He doesn’t want anyone to spend eternity in Hell. When those we love die, it is an accomplishment and acceptance by God into His kingdom – they are so much happier than anything this life could offer them. We feel sorry for ourselves, because we will miss them – but this is only temporary. When we run up against mean and rude people, which is daily, I know, we need to pray that they will know God before it’s too late for them. God loves them so much that He’s willing to use us and send us in their paths to share His Word. Are we seeing this as a nuisance, or an opportunity so that when our lives are over – it’s an accomplishment and we can await our acceptance by God. It’s a new day!
This is the way I feel about both my mother and my friend Loretta dying. they both were such good people. Loving and caring they would give their right arm for others and they cared so much for others and both died so young.
I will miss them both but I know while they were here on earth they were doing GODS work.
I sometimes wonder why GOD takes the good people and the ones who are mean and rude are still here on earth tormenting good people and trying to bring them down to satans level.
I know that both my mom and my friend are around me guiding me and pretecing me from these rude mean people. There are many times that I feel their spirites around me and am so thankful they are there.
I thank GOD they are there for me.
This really goes along with how I’m feeling right now. Last month a wonderful woman from church lost her 7 year battle with breast cancer leaving behind 5 small children under the age of 11. Her life has been such a testimony of faith to me. Since her death though, I’ve had so many questions that I just want to ask God. I dont’ understand why God would take such a wonderful mother away from her children.
God hasn’t really given me any answers, but I know in my heart that He’s good and that regardless of my confusion or lack of understanding He is still worthy of my praise. Sometimes it’s a struggle to trust him, but I know that through those times He’s molding and shaping into the woman that HE see’s I can be.