“’Come, let us reason together,’ says the Lord…” (Isaiah 1:18)
Our Father in Heaven is a God of reason and He hears our sincere questions. Jeremiah had a valid complaint: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. Yet You know me, Lord; You see me and test my thoughts about You.” (Jeremiah 12:1-3)
God answered with His own questions that revealed a higher goal for his prophet: “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)
If the athlete complains about tough practices, the coach tells him what it takes to be a champion. If a math student complains about fractions, the teacher explains that there are tougher things to come. If we get upset with others, God reminds us that the real struggle is “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
John the Baptist sent a question to Jesus as he sat in prison: “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus did not criticize but rather sent back an answer of encouragement: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is being proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.” (Matthew 11:2-6)
I want to go to God with my questions today, rather than to a political candidate or talk show host. God not only sees what is happening on earth, He knows the reasons. I need to ask the Holy Spirit to help me think and speak and love like Jesus. I think He’s telling me to be dressed and alert and always praying.
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:13-18