Questions imply asking, and asking shows a desire for answers. I was reading through the Psalms recently, and in case you haven’t noticed, they are full of questions. Questions David and others posed to God–pleading questions and desperate questions, questions asked when the times were crazy and answers impossibly far away. Because God is good, the psalmist always seemed to get an answer, even if it wasn’t what he expected or imagined. Here are a few examples:
Asked: “O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell in your holy hill?” Psalm 15:1
Answered: “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love will enter your house.” Psalm 5:7
Asked: “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1
Answered:
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Psalm 5:7
Asked:
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” Psalm 2:1
Answered:
“The Lord is my rock and my deliverer.” Psalm 18:2
Asked:
“Why does the wicked man renounce God and say in his heart, ‘You will not call me to account.” Psalm 10:13
Answered:
“But I have trusted in your steadfast salvation, and love; my heart will rejoice in you.” Psalm 13:5
Asked:
“O God, why do you cast us off forever?” Psalm 74:1
Answered:
“Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people.” Psalm 3:8
Asked:
“Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord” Psalm 44:23
Answered:
“The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:9
So, don’t be afraid to ask questions – in confusion, in fear, in pain—and God will keep answering, not with an instant solution but with this:
I love you. I’m with you. I’ve saved you. You’re mine.
He loves you and so do I! Keep asking questions.
To learn more about Martin Luther and the Psalms try these links:
Reading the Psalms With Luther–Book Review
Martin Luther Quote on the Psalms #2
Lutheran Ladies Connection 