“If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:13 NIV
It is only trust that will lead you to God’s truth.
My thoughts and comments today are, “trust the truth.”
Questions! You will have many of them, and your most frequent question will be, “Why?” Some questions you can answer, but not always get right. You will try to answer others questions, but with little success now; only later they may become clear as you learn to trust God in that moment. It is only trust that will lead you to God’s truth. A teacher educates by presenting truth, then posing relevant problems and asking questions. You learn when you know the right answers.
Questions are unavoidable. So much happens in life that is not easy to understand. Your knowledge and understanding is incomplete, as is mine. None of us know everything. Read 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 NLT. But God knows all things!“ I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.’” Isaiah 46:9-10.
Gideon struggled with honest questions. Read Judges 6:2-6 NKJV. In what seemed very difficult and unchangeable circumstances, Gideon looked for evidence that God was with him, even asking, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:13 NIV. You’ve felt that way; we all have. He assumed that if God were with him there and then, his present circumstance would be better. Gideon’s false assumption caused a perspective too small. Don’t categorize God to fit your circumstance. Gideon’s question misled him to interpret God in light of his own situation, rather than considering the broader context of God’s character and faithfulness forever. When the moment is confusing, the long view of eternity is better.
One practical thing about questions, learn to ask questions that best lead you to truth. I have found that there are questions, profitable and unprofitable. “Why?” may well be the least productive one. First, you probably won’t figure that out most of the time, so it is just wasted emotion. Secondly, the answer won’t change what happened, nor make you feel better about it.
I have found it more useful to ask, “What now?” Here are some questions that I have found helpful: What can I learn from this experience? What is God doing or saying to me right now? How can I respond that most honors God, and reflects my trust and faith in Him? Those kinds of questions help you to trust God and will ultimately lead you to truth – God’s truth. When you don’t know the right answer, you can still do the right thing.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 TEV. Are you willing to trust the truth? Here is the Bible’s wise counsel, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT. It really is this simple. “Trust in the Lord . . delight in the Lord . . commit your way unto the Lord . . rest in the Lord.” Psalm 37:3-8 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is: trust the truth as found in God’s character and Word.