Why, Lord?

Training for Today: Run 3 Miles

Devotion: Why, Lord?

At the heart of the Christian’s grieving process, you’ll find this question: Why, Lord? I’m sure you’ve asked that question; I know I’ve asked it, too. What’s interesting is that this question is usually the result of crisis, grief, trauma, difficulty, pain . . . you get the idea. We don’t often ask why when the Lord has blessed us with things we view positively. But, in our struggles, we want answers. We want control. We want information. We want to make sense of it all.


In your thoughts and prayers today, consider the fruitlessness of asking why. Take a look at a few verses from Isaiah that illustrate this point:

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-14).

“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:26-28).

After reading these verses, it’s clear that we can ask God why our loss happened as many times as we want, but our sinful minds are unable to comprehend the full answer. What we can do is pray for insight and marvel at our mighty God! I urge you to go back and read the verses again, this time with the realization that the same God who created all things holds you in His hands.

Who are we to deserve such a God! (Now that’s cause for asking why!) Love is the answer. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, forgive my lack of faith in you when I question your ways. Remind me always that it is out of your love for me that you draw me close through life’s challenges. Amen.