Sometimes when we go through trials and tribulations we tend to wonder "why?" We are hardwired to think that there is a reason for everything that we can comprehend (for indeed God does have a reason for every purpose under heaven--"The LORD works out everything to its proper end--even the wicked for the day of disaster" (Prov. 16:4, NIV). "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2, NIV). We will never be able to figure out God or put Him in a box: "Canst thou by searching find out God," (cf. Job 11:7). Nebuchadnezzar said in Daniel that "no one can stay His hand, or say unto Him, 'What hast thou done?'" "Can anything happen without the Lord's permission?" (Lam. 3:37, NIV). We cannot second-guess God as if He were accountable to us! The Bible does make it clear that when we get to heaven all our questions will be answered and there will be no more tears. See John 16:23 that says, "In that day you will ask me nothing" (ESV). Rev. 7:17 says that He will wipe away all our tears.
The man in Scripture known for his longsuffering was Job and God never gave him an explanation even though he practically demanded his day in court and the opportunity to present his case before God. Job kept asking, "Why?" but God just said, "Who?" He said, "Who do you think you are O man, to question God?" We don't get our way with God, He gets His way with us--God's will be done with or without our cooperation. He maintained his personal righteousness to the very end, and this was his fault in that this degenerated into self-righteousness and personal pride and stubbornness, not willing to admit that he could be in the wrong.
This is because he compared himself to others and not to God's standards. We all fall short in God's eyes and no one measures up--God could throw the book at any one of us, and, in fact, He didn't have to save anyone to maintain His divine holiness, righteousness, or justice. If He had to save anyone it wouldn't be grace, but justice.
God simply does not owe anyone an explanation because He is too deep to do so and it is a waste of time for the infinite to penetrate the finite. It would be like explaining the Internet to an ant! If God explained Himself and set a precedent it would be a bad one because there would be an end to it and faith would not be required to please God. God wants us to accept the whole package on the basis of faith despite our doubts, uncertainties, and questions--we have just enough knowledge to make a leap of faith and keep walking in faith. No one has all the answers and everyone has to have their faith tested because it is more precious than silver or gold.
Now consider Job: God was honoring him by this test; remember what he said to Satan: "Have you considered my servant Job?" The more we know, the more responsible we become and it is best we don't know too much! Sometimes we really would rather not know and it is for our own good--we may not be ready for it. Soli Deo Gloria!
The man in Scripture known for his longsuffering was Job and God never gave him an explanation even though he practically demanded his day in court and the opportunity to present his case before God. Job kept asking, "Why?" but God just said, "Who?" He said, "Who do you think you are O man, to question God?" We don't get our way with God, He gets His way with us--God's will be done with or without our cooperation. He maintained his personal righteousness to the very end, and this was his fault in that this degenerated into self-righteousness and personal pride and stubbornness, not willing to admit that he could be in the wrong.
This is because he compared himself to others and not to God's standards. We all fall short in God's eyes and no one measures up--God could throw the book at any one of us, and, in fact, He didn't have to save anyone to maintain His divine holiness, righteousness, or justice. If He had to save anyone it wouldn't be grace, but justice.
God simply does not owe anyone an explanation because He is too deep to do so and it is a waste of time for the infinite to penetrate the finite. It would be like explaining the Internet to an ant! If God explained Himself and set a precedent it would be a bad one because there would be an end to it and faith would not be required to please God. God wants us to accept the whole package on the basis of faith despite our doubts, uncertainties, and questions--we have just enough knowledge to make a leap of faith and keep walking in faith. No one has all the answers and everyone has to have their faith tested because it is more precious than silver or gold.
Now consider Job: God was honoring him by this test; remember what he said to Satan: "Have you considered my servant Job?" The more we know, the more responsible we become and it is best we don't know too much! Sometimes we really would rather not know and it is for our own good--we may not be ready for it. Soli Deo Gloria!
You wrote: "The Bible does make it clear that when we get to heaven all our questions will be answered and there will be no more tears."
ReplyDeleteThe Scripture doesn't actually say there will be no more tears, but rather that God will wipe them away. Rev. 7:17 and Rev. 21:4. I am also not convinced that "all our questions will be answered".
You're right about my hyperbole because if literally all of our questions were answered we would know as much as God and there would be no place for faith and worship of God--that would be omniscience in a sense. But we might ask why our daughter died a premature death, for instance.
ReplyDeleteThere will be no more tears after God wipes them away and they are gone for good in eternity--tears are fleeting or transient and will indeed pass away permanently.