I Have Questions, God...

“One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.” Psalms 27:4 NKJV

Rewind... Before I dive straight into this topic let’s get some simple definitions going here.

Question: a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information.

Inquire: ask for information from someone.

So often when asking someone if it’s okay to question God we are met with answers like, “Who are you to question God?” Or “God knows what He’s doing.” I’d like to offer a different perspective on questioning God.

Let’s start with some reflective questions...

What has caused us to think that questioning God is unacceptable?

Who has caused us to forsake our relationship with God by not being able to ask questions?

Why do you think we are taught not to question God?

I believe that the people who teach that questioning God is not okay are speaking of a heart posture. Sometimes when we question God we are being snarky or entitled and that’s where you can go wrong.

Let’s look at some biblical examples of questioning God with two different outcomes:

Take Job for instance, throughout the entire book of Job he goes through so many tragic things and begins to complain in seeking God. In chapter 38 God says, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth?” Now why do you think God answered that way? Back to the heart posture, when you are asking because you are upset you’re liable to get an answer like Job did.

Now let’s look at Abraham. In Genesis chapter 18, God is looking to destroy the city of Sodom and Abraham asks God, “Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” After asking a series of questions Abraham was able to have God save his nephew and his nephew’s family. What would have happened if religion taught Abraham not to question God? Could it be that God is waiting on YOU to ask the right questions as a form of intercession?

There are so many biblical references for asking God questions, that we would be uninformed not to. God is after a relationship with us, and inquiring in His temple promotes relationship. The Bible tells us that if we ask it will be given to us, seek and we shall find, and knock and the door will be answered unto us. That’s not just for physical things, but intellectual as well. God created us as inquisitive human beings for a purpose. If you don’t ask a question, how will you receive an answer?

In conclusion I’d like to provide some practical information regarding questioning God:

1. Check your heart posture behind questioning God. Are you questioning because you truly want to know or do you have a hidden agenda?

2. Be prepared for whatever God says. Sometimes, like Job, we may receive an answer that rebukes us. That’s the risk we should be willing to take when asking a question.

3. Know that God wants to answer our questions. Asking questions promotes relationship.

4. Nobody understands God's ways better than God.