We Don’t Have To Have All the Answers
By
Susan Klein
“Even
a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his
tongue.”
Proverbs
17:28 (NIV)
Usually when I need an example of perseverance through trial,
I go to the book of Job. Here was a blameless and upright man who suffered
extreme personal loss, while also enduring ridicule and shame by those who
supposedly loved him the most. Yet, while he is the model of perseverance, I’ve
come to learn another lesson from Job that I want to emulate: “I don’t need to
have all the answers.”
After his period of grieving, Job’s friends started to pummel
him with questions as to why God would allow such a travesty to occur to such a
godly man. For awhile, Job accepts his lot, defending his Creator to those who
are making accusations. But, eventually his despair gets the better of him and
Job starts to question God as well. “What did I do to deserve this? Why have
you made me your target?” (paraphrased from chapter 7)
Eventually, we read that God speaks. He’s heard enough of accusations
and questioning from Job and his friends. Beginning in chapter 38, He reminds
Job that He alone is God, Creator of
all, and He decides what will happen to whom. Job does not know the things that
God knows and has no business questioning His ways. After being rebuked, Job
replies, “I am unworthy - - how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my
mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer - - twice, but I will say no more” (Job
40:4-5, NIV). Job got the message.
Similarly, who am I to question what God is doing in my life
or in the life of someone else? Why do we always feel the need to have answers
or know the reason for our plight? Is that walking by faith or by sight? Jesus
reminds us in Matthew 5:45 that God causes His sun to rise on the good and the
evil, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. No one is exempt
from trials, and no one has the answers to all of life’s questions. No one,
except God.
Like Job’s friends, when others begin to question God, we
should not join in on the questioning nor should we always strive to have an answer
for them, other than: “Our God is in Heaven; He does whatever pleases Him” (Psalm
115:3, NIV). We don’t need to know, we just need to trust!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What questions might you have that seem to be going unanswered? Are you willing
to let them go, and “just trust”?
2. Spend some
time with the Creator and marvel at His sovereignty.
FURTHER READING:
Susan enjoys teaching Bible
studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband
Mark are part of the on-site small group
leadership for Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.
