Why, Lord? Asking the Hard Questions
One of the great lessons we can learn from reading both the Psalms and the prophets is how to pray. Both the psalmist and, in this case, the prophet Jeremiah are willing to ask hard questions of God. And even more, they are willing to complain about their situations. Often our prayers are shallow, and therefore, we miss the great benefit of God's wisdom because we are unwilling to be transparent with our feelings and concerns.
In chapter 10, Jeremiah begins his prayer by acknowledging that there is no one like God. He has observed all the idols and false gods those around him have worshipped, and he knows that there is none like the one true God. At the end of the day, why would we even bother to pray if we were not reaching up to the only One who knows all and has the power and wisdom to act on our behalf and in our best interest?
In chapter 11, the prophet takes a step closer to God, trusting that in God's righteousness it is safe to ask a question and to complain about what he is experiencing. Jeremiah asked the question that we all wonder about: why do the wicked prosper? Jeremiah realizes that at some level all blessings flow from one source. He acknowledges that even the evil doers were created by God and many give God lip service, but their hearts are far from Him.
But notice that Jeremiah doesn't stop there, because that is not really his question nor is it ours. The real question is the next one. The question behind the question: "But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you." The real question is, why do I have to suffer so much? You are letting evil people prosper but God, you know me, and you know my heart and you know I'm trying. Why, Lord, do I have to endure this suffering?
In Jeremiah's next sentence, he asked for the same thing the psalmist often asked of God: "Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter and set them apart for the day of slaughter." God, just punish the bad guys, but give me some relief!
When we ask our all-knowing Father a question, be prepared for a question back at’cha! Jesus did that a lot with both his followers and his critics. It appears he learned it from his Father. God asks Jeremiah a question in his response. "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with the horses? And if in a safe land you are trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?"
I think what God is trying to get Jeremiah to see is that his current suffering that God was allowing him to go through was preparing him for a greater mission and challenge. If you can't learn to race another man, how will you do when I place you in a situation where you are racing a horse? If you can't make it today in this location where you are safe, how will you do when I call you to serve in a more dangerous place?
I'm not sure I can say always, but I think I can say often that God allows the suffering and difficulty of our current moment to refine us and prepare us for a more difficult and critical mission. If we consider that possibility, then we can relate and maybe understand why it is possible to be thankful for our tough seasons. Maybe they are God's method for preparing us for the next and maybe most important mission of our lives.
God, we are thankful that you are so loving that you allow us to complain and question you. It is a gift that we can be so honest! It is hard to say but thank you for the difficulty you allow us to go through. We submit the good days and the bad days to you, trusting that you have us and will prepare us well for the ways in which you will allow us to serve you tomorrow. Amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Jeremiah 10:6-7, 12:1-3, 12:5 ESV
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