Starting at a very young age, shortly after we’re able to form phrases, we begin to ask “Why?”. Perhaps if you have children or take care of little ones, this question is their favorite word right now. Maybe they’re a toddler and soaking in their whole environment like a sponge. Mommy, why does fruit have seeds? Daddy, why are stoplights red, yellow, and green? Grandma, why is the sky blue? Following your answer, they may then ask, “But why?”.
It may not be so different in the teenage years either, when young people become more independent and question (and sometimes challenge) why certain decisions are made in the home. “But I don’t understand why . . .”.
Even though the younger population may be more vocal and persistent with their “whys”, adults also ask the question “Why?”. Maybe it’s a whelp for help to those who are kind enough to listen or perhaps it’s a silent cry to the Lord while lying awake in bed at night. Why was my colleague promoted instead of me? Why was my child born with a medical condition? Why did my spouse pass away so young? Why is my family struggling financially when I’ve been working hard and so many are wealthy in comparison? Why did I move to this new location and now things are falling apart?
Sometimes even when we make good decisions, the way is rough.
Let’s face it. Things don’t always go the way we planned or hoped. There are struggles. And these struggles may lead us to second guess our circumstances and ask “Why?”. Often, our trials can get so overwhelming that they become our primary focus and we aren’t able to see how God is working in and through our lives.
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances when the word “Why?” is used. Gideon asked an angel of Lord why such hardship had fallen upon the Israelites by the hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:13). Job asked God why He had allowed him to be born when he experienced so much pain and suffering (Job 3:11-12). David asked the Lord why He was so far from helping him and from his cries (Psalm 22:1). Even Jesus himself asked, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34).
Moses spent 40 years with a group of people who asked “Why?” while wandering through the wilderness. Even Moses himself asked why the Lord sent him to Pharaoh to petition for the Israelites’ freedom which caused Pharaoh to oppress the Israelite slaves even more.
Exodus 5:22-23
22 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
During the long years of wandering, the Israelites asked many questions. “Why?” was just one of them, among their endless complaints. One question they asked was why they were brought out of Egypt, a place where they had plenty to eat and drink.
Numbers 11:13, 18-20
13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.
19 Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;
20 But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the Lord which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
Numbers 20:1-5
1 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!
4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is of no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.
You may already know how these two parts of the wilderness journey end. The Lord sends out a wind to bring quail from the sea, enough to fill the land a day’s journey on each side and Moses uses a rod to hit a rock and bring forth a rush of water in front of the peoples’ eyes. And it is enough to quench the whole congregation and their animals also.
The Lord never said our life would be free from struggle. In fact, both the Apostle Paul and James said we should appreciate the value of trials, and even delight in them, knowing they will direct us to lean closer to the Lord and allow the power of Christ to rest upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9, James 1:2).
Our “Why?” questions can be short-sighted, in the moment. We have finite vision here on Earth, and as my blog points out, our life is just a vapour. However, the Lord is eternal. There is no beginning and end of time for Him. Thankfully, we cannot see the path of our lives as God sees it or we may become overwhelmed at the awesomeness of it. He has a planned purpose for our lives on Earth. I’ve heard somewhere before that our life is like a beautiful tapestry, woven carefully together. When we examine just a small part, we are unable to see the picture or pattern.
But if we zoom out, we can see that small portion is essential to a stunning masterpiece. Just as the children of Israel couldn’t see His plan for them in the promised land, sometimes we aren’t able to see our promised land through the fog of our tribulations. However, we need the trials to prepare us for that which He created us.
Ponder this.
The Lord used Moses to lead the Israelites to the promised land flowing with milk and honey. He used the 40 years wandering in the wilderness to strengthen their faith. He used Gideon to demonstrate that He can be trusted and that if we are on the Lord’s side, we are on the winning side no matter the odds. He used Job to show that even the Godly will suffer but the Lord is faithful. He used David, a man after his own heart, to bring about the lineage of Christ. And ultimately, He used the crucifixion of His Son to provide us with eternal life.
The Lord also hears us when we cry out to Him with tears streaming down our cheeks, asking “Why?”. But because He’s sovereign, He is using our “Why?” to weave a beautiful story. And as the masterpiece comes into focus more clearly, remember to praise Him and testify to the Craftsman’s faithfulness.
What will you do with this day you’ve been given? How will you make it matter for His Kingdom?
I am so guilty of repeatedly asking why. All my life there were so many “whys.” Why do my parents have to suffer so much, they’re good Christian people, I just don’t understand. Then why did I lose close friends when they were so young? Why did my marriage fail? Why didn’t I get that job I wanted so badly? So many things never made sense but when I stepped back as I got older and looked at the big picture some of the whys were answered and it was unbelievable. God had a plan all along and His plan is always the best plan. I’m not patient at all and so many things that were negative in my life were because I didn’t wait on God. I know I’m still not as patient as I should be but I’ve gotten better. There will always be days that I ask why, that’s just me, but I have noticed that I don’t do it as often. I look at things differently and know there is a reason and at some point it will become clearer. Maybe it’s because I am more at peace with my life, maybe because I’m older and more content, or maybe I finally just got it through my head that God knows what He’s doing with my life and I just need to trust His plan.
Thank you Beth for another wonderful message.
You’re very right, it’s so natural for us to ask why certain things happen or don’t happen in our lives. In the moment, emotions are high whether we receive quick shocking news or whether we are battle weary. Placing our hope in the Lord and trusting His plan is the best thing to do; however, that doesn’t mean the way isn’t hard. I love your point that we need to wait on the Lord’s timing for the best outcome. Thank you for your testimony that the Lord is good and how our faith can grow as we continue our walk with Him.