When children ask “why?” their questioning can go on for a very long time. Sometimes the answers are easy and a pleasure to give. Other times we don’t feel equipped to answer the questions well. Sometimes in our frustration we answer “because I said so,” or “because that’s just the way it is.”
God told Moses he would be part of God’s mission to free his people from Egypt. And Moses had a lot of questions for God. (See Exodus 3 and 4.) However, God seems patient with Moses, giving him clear answers.
We sometimes draw our conclusions from the final part of the dialogue. It says, “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses” (Exodus 4:14). We think that our questioning can become too much, or that we shouldn’t bring our questions to God.
But, Moses makes a statement at the end. He simply tells God, even if it sounds in the nicest possible way, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” God’s anger, nevertheless, did not last long.
In the dialogue between God and Moses, we see God’s patience.
It makes me think about our conversations with God, our prayers with him. And, I think Moses’ questions encourage us that we can ask questions of God, too.
Here are two good reasons to bring our questions to God:
It’s important to bring our questions to God. It gives God the opportunity to answer them.
Sometimes we come to God with the question “why?” And behind that one word is often pain and suffering, the hurt we are feeling. We want to know why God has allowed something hard to happen in our lives.
Many of the Psalms are “why?” prayers. One example is Psalm 73. In it, the Psalmist is asking why other people seem to be getting on so well in life. These people don’t trust in God. They face no difficulties. This is not happening to him.
The wording is not always phrased as a question but behind them, we can sense the “why?”
They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong.
They don’t have troubles like other people;
they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
Psalm 73 4-5; 13-14 NLT)
We think bringing our questions to God signifies a lack of faith or weakness in our trust. But, it’s important to bring our questions to God because it allows God to answer them.
God answered Moses’ questions in full with plenty of details. No half answers or “because I said so.” God told him everything he had planned.
And we see answers in Psalm 73, too.
The first half of Psalm 73 is more like a monologue where the Psalmist is ruminating to himself with questions. But then comes a turning point:
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God (Psalm 73:17)
The Psalmist went to God and there he got his answers.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
(Psalm 73:26-28 NLT).
It’s important to bring our questions to God. It gives us the chance to continue on the path God has for us.
We shouldn’t miss that in the middle of the questioning, twice God encourages Moses “now go…”
Sometimes, we have to stop our questioning. We must have faith that God has got us. He cares about us. He is protecting us, and he is with us. Everything ahead of us is under his sovereign control.
The Psalmist felt like his foot was slipping. When he came to God with his questions, he discovered that God held him steady. God guided him. He was led in the right direction.
Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
(Psalm 73:24-25).
What burning questions do you have? Bring them to God. Expect him to answer. Expect him to reassure you. Then go where he is telling you.
Pray
