Questions Brings Hope!
Why do we ask questions? Can asking a question bring hope? Do we really want to understand something, or do we want someone to do something with us or for us? Do we have questions that we want God to answer for us? I know that I do. Will God give us answers? Let us find out.
When someone asks me a question it brings me hope. When I was growing up my mom and dad would ask me if I wanted to do something. I was hopeful that it meant that I would get to spend time with them. Sometimes they would ask me why I did something. It gave me an opportunity to explain something and at that time I hope that I would escape punishment, that my explanation would result in mercy.
I know when I ask questions it is usually because I want to do something with someone or want them to do something for me. Like when I want to go out to eat with someone. I also ask when I need someone to help me. There are times when I ask questions when I do not understand something. I need clarification and I am looking for a reason. I ask these questions hoping I will get the response that I want.
God wants us to ask Him questions. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (ESV) I often ask God questions because I want something from Him, or I am looking for the reason behind things. I know there are times when I ask God why only because I want Him to answerer the way I want him to answer. For example, I asked God why my wife Laura was sick and then asked Him to heal her. The problem is, when I ask questions and do not get the answers I want, I am still getting the answers God wants. The answer I wanted was that Laura would be physically healed here on earth. The answer God gave me was that He was healing her using His plan, “I am bringing her home to heaven because that is what is best for her and for you.”
I am sure that Job, in the book of Job, and Joseph, see Genesis 37-50, wanted to know why they were going through all they were going through, but I find something amazing about both these men. They seemed to have had an understanding of the bigger picture. Job said, “Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not answered; I call for help, but there is no justice… “He has put my brothers far from me, and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me. My relatives have failed me, my close friends have forgotten me….For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” Job 19;7,13-14, 25-27 (ESV) Joseph said in Genesis 50:19-21a, But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” (ESV) Both men understood the bigger picture and they depended upon God even in their difficulties.
God also asks us all a question that we must answer it is a question that brings us great hope if we answer the question correctly. The question He asks all of us is, “Do you believe that I sent My only begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross and be raised from the dead so that you might have eternal life? We all must answer this question. The answer must be yes because Jesus is the only way to the father. Jesus could not have said this any clear in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (ESV)
If you do not know Jesus the true source of hope does not abide in you. Learn how to get the hope you need. Learn how to know Jesus
If you have not read my previous blogs you can find them here.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazonor Google
