Why? (March 27, 2023)

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11) (NIV)

Sooner or later, we are all confronted with circumstances that we do not understand, and, as we scratch our heads in confusion, the first question that generally comes to mind is “Why?” This is especially true when seasons of hardship and trial come into our lives, leaving us distraught, even devastated, and prompting us to search desperately for answers. Often, we cry out to God, begging to know why He permitted unwelcome trouble or tragedy to disrupt the serenity that we feel when things are going well. Reality teaches that we must go through deep, dark valleys that we may bitterly detest in order to get to the lofty mountain peaks that we certainly desire.

Throughout God’s Word, the three-letter question “Why?” is asked by many prominent biblical figures who were puzzled by the plight in which they found themselves. Sent by God to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land, Moses prayed, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me?” (Exodus 5:22) (NKJV) Reflecting His humanity, God’s Son, the incarnate Jesus Christ, cried out from the cross, quoting from Messianic prophecy recorded by David in Psalm 22, saying “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) (NKJV)

Until we see Jesus face to face, we may never know the “whys” of many of the adversities that life in a fallen world is sure to impose upon us. As believers, however, we know that God is in control and that He has a purpose for every trying issue of life that we must face. We must focus on the LORD rather than the difficult circumstances that test our faith, knowing that nothing can disrupt our lives without His divine permission. We won’t always understand, but as followers of Christ, we do know that God is trustworthy. Recalling His past faithfulness in our times of distress, we must trust and obey Him, clinging steadfastly to His countless wonderful promises!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) (NKJV)