My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46, Psalm 22:1
We’ve all asked, “Why?” The “why’s” begin at an early age, don’t they? You don’t have to spend too much time with a 4 or 5 year old to notice. Our brains long to make sense of things that are unknown. We like strategies, answers and control. If we can know the why, we can walk it back and find a solution, right? Usually.
I have asked God why, especially in hardship; when things are not “right” as we define it. This is mainly because I know He is in control. If He is in control, all wise and working His will, then He can give me an answer. “Why would you do this? Why me? Why us? Why him/her, whyyyyyyyy?!?!” The question in itself is not wrong and I believe God gave us the innate desire to explore, examine and figure things out. (Proverbs 25:2) “Why” has driven so much research and science and when we get answers, we celebrate it. It truly is a wonderful thing.
Then there are those times we all loathe, when we don’t find answers. We cry out from the depths of our souls, “why!” The lack of answers feels like failure, but wisdom asserts what is true. When we do not get the answer to our why we are driven to the foundation of our Christian faith. Faith requires belief without seeing, trust without touching, and a step forward without knowing the outcome. Sometimes when we don’t get answers, it’s a good thing.
I’m embarrassed to admit I often need the reminder that God knows better than me, especially when I don’t understand what’s going on around me or inside of me. Not only does He know better, but His view is extensive. His infinite knowledge is perfectly right and His vision is without barrier. God sees the whole picture.
Do you know who else saw the whole picture? Jesus. He knew why He hung on the cross yet in pain He cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” He was fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22 as He suffered. He quoted it as He lived it. God did not answer Him. Think about that for a moment. He did not answer Jesus, the Messiah. Why not? An answer was not necessary. We see Jesus in the garden praying that God might let this cup pass from him. (Matthew 26:39) No answer. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
Girlfriend, we are in good company asking “why” without a response from God. But let me whisper a truth in your ear that I often need whispered in mine. We can trust God with the answers we may never get.
Jesus didn’t get an answer, but the answer was good.
We can trust His infinite knowledge and His perfect love to give us “peace that passes understanding.” (Philippians 6:4-9) I experience so much freedom in this. Freedom that our Jesus suffered, died and rose for.
I have learned that if I don’t have answers, I can still have peace. If I don’t have understanding I can still have trust and if I don’t have certainty, I can still have faith.(Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 26:3, Phil. 6:4-7, Hebrews 11:1) You are braver than you know.
When hope is real…
“God sees the whole picture. I can trust Him with my why.”
Cheering you on always,
