A Word To The Whys

Ecclesiastes 11:5 – As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (KJV)

English was always my favourite subject, though sometimes a teacher or two could be a bit challenging. (Admittedly, we students were probably challenging at times!) Such was one teacher we had in Grade 8. When asked a question, he often took poetic licence with a line from Alfred Lord Tennyson's Charge Of The Light Brigade by replying, "Yours is not to question why; yours is but to do or die."

My classmates and I got used to it, but it didn't answer our questions. Later in life, though, it occurred to some of us that perhaps the teacher didn't actually know the answers to the questions.

We encounter many, many whys throughout life, to which there don't seem to be answers, or at least, not ones that would satisfy us.

Why do accidents happen? Why do little kids, young people, young parents at the prime of their lives get terminal illnesses? Why are some pregnancies carried to term and others not? Why and how do kids and people go missing? Why is there so much tragedy, so much destruction in the world?

Yes, there are pat answers, clichés that often are offered, but they don't actually answer the questions, and sometimes, they are more hurtful than helpful.

But why do we not equate God's offering of His Son for crucifixion, the greatest injustice of all, as His acceptance of responsibility for the injustices in the world?

Psalm 62:8 – Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. (KJV)

My word to the whys would be that in all instances, no matter how difficult, whatever our questions, we must trust that God knows the answers, and that as hard as it is to accept at times, all things eventually work out for the good. We are offered Christ's resurrection as proof.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)

Prayer: Lord, may we trust in You at all times, especially in those times when our questions don't seem to have any answers. May our faith lead us through troubled times, trusting that the path You have put before is in Your overall plan for us, and that it will work for the better. In Your name, we pray and give thanks for this day. Amen.

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