The Problem With “Why”

Devotional Reading: So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. II Samuel 12:20 NKJV

“Why?” is a tough question for human beings. Our minds search for answers and patterns, cause and effect, looking for some way to logically explain things too difficult to accept. Part of our faith journey sometimes means questioning things we may never have questioned before. What do you do when life has handed you less and God is seemingly silent? What do you do when you keep asking “Why?” and there is no answer?

When King David’s first child with Bathsheba died, rather than mourn, he rose from prayer and fasting for the child’s recovery, cleaned himself up, and went to worship God in the Tabernacle. The questions and petitions ceased.

In the midst of challenge and pain, we need to choose to lay down our questions and cease striving to work things out in our own strength and understanding. Instead, we must choose to worship and glorify God, trusting that as we worship He is at work on our behalf.

This doesn’t mean we’re impervious to the question “Why?” But one thing we must remember is that life isn’t about the Why, it’s all about the Who. The “Why?” questions have been asked for centuries, and they will continue to be asked long after we’re gone. Asking Why may leave us unsatisfied; knowing Who, will always leave us completely satisfied.

Prayer and Confession
I choose to worship even when I don’t understand.

Further Reading: Psalm 93:3-4