Based on John 10:22-30 (New King James Version)
“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.’”
Is it wrong to ask God questions? There are many that teach that you should not ask God anything, and that you should just accept. But, that’s not true. God is not bothered by our questions. Even more so, He prefers that we ask Him everything, and we see this in different places in the Bible. For example, David asked God many things, because he wanted His direction, and He never denied him any answers, for it is written: “It happened after this that David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘Where shall I go up?’ And He said, “To Hebron.” 2 Samuel 2:1. Moses also asked the Lord questions, when he encountered Him, as it is also written: “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ So He said, ‘I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.’ Then Moses said to God, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’’ Moreover God said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’” Exodus 3:11-15. And through Moses’ search and questions, not only did God answer, but the Almighty even had a conversation with Moses. So, God is not bothered at all by any of our questions.
What determines whether God has an issue or not with a question is the intention of the heart. The heart’s intent is everything in this life. For example (and as we saw in today’s introductory passage), there are people that ask questions, but not being genuine, instead, having other purposes or ulterior motives. There are times when people ask questions, but with a certain something behind them, not necessarily because they are looking for an answer, but rather have something covered up. And there is where God has a problem.
There is something that needs to be kept in mind. God is God, and He is the Almighty and Sovereign God (these are but a few of his many describers). He made everything. He knows everything. He can do anything, and there is none higher than Him. So then, if God is all of that and has those capabilities, don’t you think there should be some level of respect? How can you question someone like that? Can a human being be more than God, if they don’t even know what will happen the next five minutes? Can someone know more than God?
Also, the existence of God does not depend on our faith or respect. God is God, and He is and does what He does independent from what we believe. Therefore, whether a person believes or not, God is God; He is a reality. The reality that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God, but at the same time, God Almighty also, did not depend on the pharisees or scribes, nor on anyone else. And we also need to bear in mind, that just because God is incredibly merciful and loving, and a bolt of lighting doesn’t fall instantaneously on a person (one of the many ways God could do something, because He can do whatever He wants), for their evil and lack of respect, does not mean that a person should take Him lightly. For it is written: “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.” Nahum 1:3-6. So, just because He is “slow to anger” does not mean that His anger will never come, if a person wishes to continue doing evil. Inevitably, each person in the end shall give an account, either here on earth or in heaven before His throne.
There is also something else we must meditate on. No one can snatch away from God a life that has surrendered to Him, and also, God will never abandon anyone, no matter what happens. The problem comes when a person, under their own will and power, separates from God (because the Lord doesn’t force anyone; He does not force His sheep). For it is written: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:4-6. Therefore, the decision to abide in Him belongs to us. The Lord can try to help someone learn through discipline, so they can reason through what they are doing. But God will not force anyone to stay with Him, because the foundation for everything is love, and love is a decision. God desires that we decide for Him, and that we desire to continue belonging to Him, no matter what happens, just like we want to be loved; not out of interest or obligation, but with a well-intentioned desire.
So then, do you understand who God (Jesus) is? And if you have understood, do you ask Him genuine questions? And finally, do you wish to belong and continue belonging to the Lord, to return His great love for you? Lord bless! John