The God of Why
A while ago I had an interesting conversation with a young person who was struggling with her faith in God. I began telling her about how much God loves each of us. She replied by telling me about some of the things she had suffered throughout her life, and eventually asked the question I expected to hear: “If God loves me so much, why did He allow all these painful things to happen to me?”
Many times I have asked God this same question. “Why, God?”
The Old Testament prophet Hosea warned Israel that a lackluster knowledge of God would destroy them. Jesus gave the same warning in the New Testament. Matt 7:23 says “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” A lack of knowledge will always destroy us. We must know God’s laws and know Him in a personal, intimate relationship. It is the only way to avoid judgment and destruction.
Imagine the disciples in the immediate aftermath of the betrayal, death, and burial of Jesus. Their hero, their master, their teacher, the One for whom they had given up everything had failed them. They had followed Him for three and a half years, and in one horrific moment He was gone forever. If I put myself in their place, the question foremost in my mind is, “Why is this happening, God? Why, God?” The reason is simple yet profound. God is why. It happened so they could know Him. They walked with him for years and saw many mighty miracles, but didn’t know how powerful He is. They had seen His compassion, but didn’t know how deep His love is. Think of what they had to endure to know Jesus with such incredible clarity to be entrusted with writing the Bible. Dreams were shattered. Feelings of betrayal, abandonment, confusion, and fear must have run rampant in their minds. But if it had not happened, none of us would now know Him. In Psalm 119:71, David said “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
So why do bad things happen? It is an interesting philosophical question which is easily answered with an understanding of man’s free will and sinful nature. But it is also a very daunting question when you are in pain and see no way out. Why do these things happen? The answer: God. He is why. He wants you to know Him, and if everything was perfect, you wouldn’t find the depth of His love or the extent of his power. Ask Job why all of his tragedies had to happen. God was the one who first mentioned Job to the devil. God was the one who approved the devil’s plan — with limitations.
God is the God of why. What happened to the young person who asked, “If God loves me so much, why did He allow all these painful things to happen to me?” In a later conversation, she told me excitedly that she knew it was God who allowed the pain so that she would turn to Him, and so she can be a help to others who are in similar circumstances.
Is there something in your life that you are questioning God about? If so, I believe this is the answer: God is why. In the good, the bad, and the ugly, God is trying to teach us about His divine nature! He is the God of why.
So glad He’s never afraid of my questions! It just feels good to enter His presence and ask them – thanks for the post.
It’s quite true for most people that they would not look for God if He didn’t let bad things show up in their life. When something good happens unexpectedly, we tend to ignore God — not even thanking Him, much less searching for Him!
How can a loving God let us fall into the depths of desperation? You said it: how would we find Him otherwise?
Once we ask Him into our life, there is no going back on our request. He will do what is absolutely necessary for you to know Him. Just as a rescuer of a drowning swimmer, will render the person helpless, in order to save the person. This is just what Jesus needs from us, to be helpless, in order for Him to help us. This causes a major confict with our humanity, but our spirit knows better and will begin to seek His spirit. He made us that way and that is His plan. Our course is as individual as we are, but “There is no battle under submission”.
God is why! I love the answer. It reminds me of God’s answer to Job’s questions. At some point we have to relinquish Godship to Him.
This is a great philosophy by which we can live at peace with live.
Thank you so much for an uplifting article. Thank you for letting God use you to bless me and everyone else.
It reminds me of God’s absolute sovereignty. God is God.
Soli Deo Gloria