Friday, October 14, 2011

Habakkuk: God Is Not Afraid of Our Questions

How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
   but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
   but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
   Why do you tolerate wrong? - Habakkuk: 2-3 NIV

Was God offended by Habakkuk's questions?   Do our questions ever displease God?  Or is it our answers that he finds anoying?  Most of the time, we have an answer for everything.  There is no need to go to God with the questions of why do illnesses linger, why do good people die young while the crabby live forever, why can people not overcome their addictions, why do mothers and fathers abuse their children, why is there bloodshed in the streets.  There is no need to ask God, we have all the answers.  The answer is in a christian book in our library.  Just like Job's friends, we have all the answers until we are questioned by God himself.

 “Who is this that darkens my counsel
   with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
   I will question you,
   and you shall answer me.
  “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
   Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
   Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
   or who laid its cornerstone—
while the morning stars sang together
   and all the angels shouted for joy? - Job 38:2-7 NIV

I don't think God ever has a problem with those who bring their questions to him, those who don't have all the answers.  After all he is looking for a humble and contrite heart.  I do think God has a problem with all of the experts with all of the pre-packaged platitutes and interpretations of what he is really like and what he wants.  God knows, we don't.  Don't let anybody fool you into thinking that they have all the answers.  They don't and if they want to please God, perhaps they should be asking him the questions.

2010 Post - Habakkuk:  God Answers Habakkuk's Complaint

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