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Asking God Questions

In the past, irreverence and disrespect tended to flood my mind when I thought about the rightness of asking God questions. Who am I to ask the sovereign, good, wise, loving God questions? However, I have been reflecting on the idea of asking God questions and now am growing to view it differently. The best place to go when you want God’s perspective on something is to prayerfully look at the Bible. So, I started there.

In the New Testament, Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist) after hearing the message from Gabriel (God’s messenger) about bearing a son in his old age, asked “How shall I know this?” Gabriel responded that because of Zechariah’s unbelief, Zechariah would be silent until the child was born (Luke 1:11-23). Asking a question did not go well for Zechariah!

However, a few months later Gabriel delivered God’s message to Mary (the mother of Jesus) to which she responded with “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel answered her question by saying the Holy Spirit would come upon her. Asking a question led to more knowledge about God (Luke 1:26-38). Asking a question went well for Mary!

Then in the Old Testament, Habakkuk asked God several questions. God patiently answered his questions and Habakkuk grew in His knowledge of God. Asking God questions went well for Habakkuk!

I realized part of what makes it right to ask God questions rests in the underlying attitude. If the question is asked in unbelief, it can be irreverent. Contrarily, if a question is asked with a desire to know and understand God more deeply, then it can be reverent. God desires us to enrich our knowledge and understanding of Him. And questions can do that.

So, I asked God a question wanting to deepen my relationship with Him. “Why, God, did how (and where) you wanted me to serve you look different than I envisioned?” I boldly asked. Over the next few days and weeks of asking and watching expectantly, God revealed more of Himself to me. Truths like His thoughts and ways are higher than mine (Isa 55:8-9), He is magnanimous and I am not (Rom 11:33-36), He accomplishes His purposes (Isa 46:9-11), He is the potter and I am the clay (Isa 45:9, 64:8), and He designs and assigns us[1] (Jer 1:4-10) flooded my mind.

So, in the process I found myself knowing and appreciating God in a deeper way. A way that makes me awe at who He is and how He accomplishes His purposes through us. In embracing the place of service He designed and assigned me for, my faith is growing and my soul is being satisfied on a level I never imagined!                    

Now reverence and respect come to my mind when I consider the idea of asking God questions.  I should ask Him questions about things in life that I do not understand or I am confused about because He wants me to know Him in a deeper more intimate way. When I bring my confusion to Him and contemplate on what I do know about Him, my mind is less cloudy, I know and appreciate Him more, and I regain my peace. What questions would you like to ask God?

Image from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/color-interrogation-symbols_973684.htm#query=free%20colorful%20question%20marks&position=15&from_view=keyword&track=ais, accessed May 15, 2023.


[1] Martha Arnhart (lecture, Bible Study Fellowship, Longview, TX, May 3, 2023).  

PJ Beets is passionate about encouraging women and children through the Scriptures and life to see the compassionate God who redeems the rejected by acceptance, the silenced by expression, the labored by grace, and the lonely by love in order to set them free to serve in His ordained place and way for them individually and corporately. She has served the Lord through Bible Study Fellowship and her home church in various capacities with women and children. Upon turning fifty, she sought the Lord on how He would have her finish well which began her journey at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies as well as a Doctor of Educational Ministry in Spiritual Formation, both from from DTS. PJ is married to Tom, has three children, and six grandchildren.

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