Questions and Answers

Have you ever asked God why He allowed something bad to happen in your life? Have you wondered why He didn't save you from unwanted circumstances, especially when you knew He could have?

If you have, you are in good company. Recently as I read my Bible, I came to see that two of Jesus' well-loved friends also asked these questions.

John 11 tells us about Mary, her sister, Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. Lazarus is sick, but when Jesus is told, He waits two days before going to see His sick friend. As Jesus finally arrives in the town where the siblings live, He learns his friend has died and was buried four days prior.

Mary and Martha know Jesus well enough to be certain that He could have saved their brother's life. When Martha is told that Jesus is coming, she goes out to meet Him on the road in to town. She greets Him by saying, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Later, Mary also goes out to see Jesus and says the exact same thing. These sisters clearly could not understand why Jesus didn't come when they wanted. They didn't understand why their powerful friend didn't keep their painful loss from happening.

Don't we sometimes feel the same as Mary and Martha? We know our God is loving and powerful, but we don't understand why He waits to show up and use His power to help us. We sometimes get so caught up in wondering why God wouldn't help us, that we don't "go out and meet Him" like Mary and Martha did. We, instead, choose to turn our backs on the One who seems to be causing us so much hurt.

But, just like Mary and Martha, we find that by telling God how we feel, He does two things for us. He weeps with us (Jesus wept) and He allows us to see the glory of God. Then He resurrects what was dead - either by giving us new dreams or reviving the one that has died.

Jesus never indicated that Mary and Martha were wrong to remind Him that He could have saved their brother - for He surely could have done so. But, He didn't give an answer to either sister. Instead of needing to know the answer to the whys, we need to recognize God's compassion for us and His ability to show His glory through our circumstances.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

Heavenly Father,
Thank You that Your timing is perfect. Sometimes we get so caught up in the happenings of this world, that we lose our eternal perspective. Remind us to share our feelings with You, knowing You care for us (1 Peter 5:7) and You have a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
In Jesus' Name,
Amen