Although I’ve been walking with God for decades, I admit that I sometimes still question Him. While I’ve learned not to blame Him for things I now recognize as Satan’s handiwork, there are still moments when my faith is weak and I wonder if He really cares.
It’s been helpful to see in the Bible examples of God’s servants going through their own times of questioning Him. One of the most dramatic examples occurred in the life of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. God called him as a teenager to go and warn his fellow people of His impending judgment. Knowing Jeremiah would encounter strong resistance, God encouraged him not to be afraid of the people, and promised His presence and protection (Jeremiah 1:5-19; 15:11).
Strong resistance is exactly what Jeremiah found as he spoke God’s message. His countrymen treated him like a joke and he was hated wherever he went (Jeremiah 15:10). They physically tortured him and at one point left him for dead in a pit (Jeremiah 38:6). Even Jeremiah’s family abandoned him (Jeremiah 12:6).
As time went on, the disillusioned prophet said to God, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me. . . . Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry” (Jeremiah 15:15,18). Later, Jeremiah would flat-out accuse God of deceiving him and blame Him for all of his troubles (Jeremiah 20:7-8). But in the midst of calling God out, something unlikely happened within Jeremiah. As much as he tried to forget God, the more he realized he couldn’t deny Him (Jeremiah 20:9).
Having doubts about God? Go ahead and tell Him. It won’t surprise Him or change His love for you. But, as it did for Jeremiah, it just might change what you think about Him. —Jeff Olson
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 15:1-20
More:
Take a look at Psalm 142 to see how David brought His concerns and complaints to God.
Next:
How have you been questioning God’s presence and work in your life? What gives you hope in God’s reality?
eppistle on March 12, 2011 at 6:46 am
It’s OK to question God, but not with the assumption that He is guilty until proven innocent. Instead, the assumption should be that He is good, but we just don’t understand.
will77 on March 12, 2011 at 6:52 am
I dont know that I doubt God directly but I do at times indirectly when it comes to myself, and my children. As long as I have walked with the Lord I feel like certain things in my life should be no more I should have had victory over them. Areas I know that only God can givre me the complete victory in yet I feel like its all up to me to make the victory happen. I have raised my children in the Lord and walked before them in faith, and yet my son is as rebellious to God and my wife and I feel abandoned. I write my own psalms be fore the Lord, and like david I often start out with a crying of my heart to God and my plight, Yet amazingly in the end of my psalm I am declaring my hope and faith in the goodness of God. My only hope is in the Lord and it will always be in the Lord
regina franklin on March 12, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Dear will77–praying for your son tonight, and praying that God will renew your faith and strength as you look to see the other “sons” in need around you. May God take the places where the enemy has lied to you to stir your heart toward the fatherless and may your sons–biological and spiritual–be numerous in the house of the Lord.
will77 on March 17, 2011 at 4:41 am
Thank You the prayers are much appreciated. I know all things are in the Lords hands. We have went on many mission trips and are preparing for one now to minister to tribes along the Amazon river. I will be praying for the spiritual sons and daughters that the Lord will bring across our path.
God Bless You Greatly Regina
William
pbutte on March 12, 2011 at 7:09 am
I just went through a deep depression after my basement flooded for the 2nd time. Water almost in my upstairs. yes, I asked why. I was in a terrible state of mind. I asked God for a sign and I saw a deer jump out of the water. My new favorite song is As a Deer. and I am certainly not depressed any more. I even went to church wed night. first time since my kids went to KYB about 20 years ago.
I have always read my Bible, but it seems like the words jump out at me. Psalm 42 is where I felt God led me to. Have a great day in the Lord
jeff olson on March 12, 2011 at 7:33 am
will77…sorry to hear about your son…& pbutte…sorry to learn of your two-time flood…It can be messy when you’re going through times like this…just read Psalm 44 & 88…but sometimes it takes honest struggle to see God again for Who He truly is.
daisymarygoldr on March 12, 2011 at 10:01 am
At work, I always encourage people to ask. When questions are asked it indicates that people are taking interest and want to know more. It is better to ask questions than to make wrong assumptions. Only those who ask, seek will receive and find the answers. Asking questions or doubts is how we learn. We learn who God really is. And that should be the motive behind our questions.
Questioning though, differs for each one of us. When someone has been given much revelation in God’s Word, much faith will be required in return. That means it is wise to simply trust Him and not ask questions. It is okay to ask but—some questions God will not answer. For ex. “Why have you forsaken me?” And like in the case of King Saul, questions from an unrepentant heart will remain unanswered.
It is good to remember that sometimes God answers our questions with His questions for which—we have no answer. When God answered Job he became almost speechless. If we ask questions in unbelief, we will be silenced. To Zechariah’s question, the angel Gabriel said he will be silent and unable to speak since he didn’t believe (Luke 1:18-19).
Here are Spurgeon’s thoughts on questioning God: “Unbelief would be insane if it should venture to intrude itself at the cross foot, though, alas, it has been there, and has there proved its utter unreasonableness. If a man dies for his friend, he must love him, nobody can question that; and Jesus dying for his people must love them: who shall cast a doubt upon that fact. Shame on any of God’s children that they should ever raise questions on a matter so conclusively proven!”
Having said all of that, here is the big question: Is it asking God questions or questioning God? There is huge difference between the two. I ask Him questions but I cannot question Him. In all his questions Jeremiah did not rage against or reject God.
God delights to answer the questions of His children. It shows that we want to know more of Him. As we wrestle with our endless questions, it should draw us into a closer and more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. God challenges us to test Him and the Bible teaches us to test all things. So, when in doubt ask God.
cricket41 on March 12, 2011 at 10:42 am
I caught myself questioning God this morning about the tsunami and earthquake knowing that God is powerful and could of stopped that from happening in a heartbeat, but can only accept the fact that God has a purpose in everything, there is a reason for everything, whether it is good or bad? I grew up in total chaos, sex abuse, alcoholism, violence, emotional and mental abuse. I remember having this dream as a six year old little girl. In the dream me and Jesus were walking up Magnolia Rd (this is where I lived). It was a beautiful sunny day and me and Jesus were holding hands, what amazes me about this dream is that I was not afraid at all? There was really no upbringing or discussiions about Jesus growing up
and I was very fearful and did not trust any grown ups. I grew up and also became alcoholic and went wild running from God. When I finally came to the end of myself I remembered that dream and cried my eyes out. I remember it so vividly 40 some years later. I kept running from God and trying to hide, but no matter where you go there you are, and Just ask Him to search your heart, He already knows your heart better than you..
AManofGod on March 12, 2011 at 6:32 pm
What beautiful responses to today’s teaching!
I am sure we all have been where Jeremiah was at certain points in our lives. We wonder why God lets us go through trials and tribulations and if He loves us why in the world would He do this? To question God is folly because He knows what is best for us even though we think we know better!
I have seen such changes in my own life in the past year. I lost my high paying job, my wife decided she no longer she wanted to be married and WOW was she my faith was rocked hard! I realized God had a plan in all these things! My trials brought me closer to him and He has rewarded me greatly. I found a better paying job (actually the job found me as I never even applied for it!) and my entire extended family has come forth to show me what true love is all about. I know God will even bring me a wife in due season and since He has been right on time with everything else how can I doubt Him now?
I am learning to ask God “why not” instead of “why” and if it is His will I will accept all He intends for me. Keep in mind that what Satan intends for evil God can always use for GOOD!
AManofGod
regina franklin on March 12, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Jeff–thanks for your transparency. Had a heart to heart with God tonight. Thanks for reminding me that life is not about me and that we gain strength through trials. Blessings
AManofGod on March 12, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Forgive my typos in my earlier posting! Its been a wild and turbulent time and I guess I am writing my thoughts just as fast!
Be Blessed ODJ family!’
AManofGod
Clarence Wong on March 13, 2011 at 11:06 am
Thank you all. I feel so encouraged tonight
shapemewithyourhands on March 13, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Hi Jeff, your typed words saying “Having doubts about God? Go ahead and tell Him. It won’t surprise Him or change His love for you. But, as it did for Jeremiah, it just might change what you think about Him.” I am impressed…really…sometimes when I questioned someone with questions W5H, he or she will get bored and turn away from me and doubt about my trustworthiness in him or her. Thanks for such good appraisal words to God. Yes His love is never change.
jeff olson on March 14, 2011 at 7:43 am
shapemewithyourhands, it’s part of God’s unconditional love…He doesn’t love us because we don’t doubt Him…He loves us even when we sometimes do.