When You Just Don't Understand

“We should not evaluate God, as if to stand in judgment of God and His word.” That is an overall summary of last week’s blog. So, does that mean that we can never ask God a question?

You might remember two devout Jews who were surprised at God’s word. Both questioned.

Zacharias was serving in the temple in Jerusalem when an angel of God told him that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Reminding the angel that he and his wife were old Zacharias responded in doubt asking how he could be certain of the angel’s word.

The angel identified himself as Gabriel, who stood in the presence of God. Then he told Zacharias that he would be unable to speak until John was born “because you did not believe my words.” (Luke 1:5-20)

Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent to the virgin Mary to tell her that she would bear the son of God. She was surprised and asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel then explained that this would be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:26-38)

So, why was Zacharias muted by the angel for his question, but Mary was not?

The question that Zacharias asked, along with his explanation of their old age, revealed doubt. Like a typical Jew, Zacharias asked for a sign. It was as if to say, I won’t believe you until I see a sign (a miracle) to confirm what you said. (He did receive a sign, but not what he expected!)

Mary did not ask for a sign. There was no doubt concerning the angel’s word. Yet, she did not understand how she could possibly bear a son when she had never had intimate relations with a man. She did not doubt God’s word; she just didn’t understand how things would work.

So, what about those times when, like Mary, we just don’t understand? The Psalms may help.

Most of us feel that we can identify with the psalmists as they cry out from their weakness, from their doubt, from their humanness. But do we always relate to their bold conclusions?

In Psalm 109 the psalmist calls out to God pleading, “Do not be silent!” Yet, his perception is that God IS silent. Then, he goes on to explain his troubles. He asks God to deal with his enemies and also to show him kindness.

Most can relate to the psalmist. Difficulties in life loom and it seems like God is silent and His promises are not true. We don’t understand.

Then, the psalmist described his need saying, “My knees are weak from fasting.” It is as if to say, “I have prayed with fasting regarding my situation until I am physically weak, yet with no answer.”

That is the moment of truth. In his darkest hour will the psalmist give up on God? And there lies the question to us: Will we give up on God?

After pleading and explaining the psalmist ends:

With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise Him. For He stands at the right of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.

The pain was real, the darkness long, but greater than his suffering and uncertainty was his faith. How do we know this? He was weak from fasting because he never gave up on God. And then, he gave thanks and praised God before the Lord answered his prayer.

So, ask God your questions, but without doubt or disrespect. 

And remember, God is greater than your circumstances. 

So, trust and give thanks. 

Mark Stinnett

April 3, 2022