...questioning God?

i heard a fellow preach about wagons last night.

he said the wagons in genesis 45 are actually God's sovereignty, security, salvation and safety (note: alliterations are always biblical).

he also said proudly that his granddaughter died five days after birth, and he never once questioned God. he said Christians do not question God because we have faith...

sure, faith is essential to the Christian, well, faith. But asking "why?" is also biblical.

to say a Christian cannot question God leaves out an awful large portion of the Bible, and leaves you with some wacked out theology that says i can't pray for God to DO anything because that might question Him or His sovereignty... this thinking is wholly antithetical to Scripture.

the bible is full of women who love Jesus, "questioning" God. when hannah hangs at the temple praying like a drunk for a son every waking minute, i'm sure some wingnut pastors told her to quit questioning the God who made her barren. yet God, in His sovereignty, gave her a child. you have her questioning, her petitioning, and God's sovereignty.

the psalmists unloaded on God all the time, asking why, even going as far as questioning His mercy at some times:

"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?"(Psalm 13:1)

"Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?" (Psalm 77:9)

"How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?" (Psalm 119:84)

This questioning was almost always paired with an acknowledgement of God's goodness and sovereignty by the end. So our questioning should always rest in the assurance of God's provision and care.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (Psalm 13:5)

And finally, take a look at Jesus. Did Jesus Christ have full, 100% faith in the Sovereignty and plan of God? He did. Did He ever question God? He did. When Jesus Christ experienced disunion with the Trinity as He became our sin on the cross, He cried out with a loud voice, "my God, my God, WHY have You forsaken Me?"

Christians do not question God?

When your theology excludes Jesus, something's not right[1].

Whether He hears our questioning like the widow whose son was raised to life or whether He rebukes us sarcastically like Job (ch. 38), God can handle our questions. God does whatever He pleases (Psalm 135:6, 115:3), and in His total sovereignty He beckons and welcomes us as a Father who delights in bequesting to us that which we need and ask for (Romans 8:32). Jesus' brother James said sometimes God does not give us what we desire, simply because we do not ask Him. Jesus encouraged us to seek, knock, ask, AND trust our heavenly Father.

in summary, faith and questioning are not mutually exclusive. God is a good God. He is Sovereign. He delights in our petitions (when we delight in Him), and He can handle our questions asked in faith.

[1] Mark Driscoll