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What Does the Bible Say About Questioning God? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Questioning God?

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to have faith and trust in God, but what happens when we encounter doubts and uncertainties? Is it wrong to question God and seek understanding? Many believers struggle with these questions and wonder if they are allowed to bring their doubts and fears to God.

In this blog post, we will explore the topic of questioning God from a biblical perspective. We will examine what the Bible has to say about questioning God and how we can approach our doubts and uncertainties with faith and humility.

From the example of Job to the psalms of King David and the obedience of Jesus, we will see how these biblical figures faced their struggles and found comfort and understanding in God.

Whether you are a new believer or a seasoned Christian, this blog post is for anyone who has ever wondered if it is okay to question God. We hope to provide a biblical perspective on this topic and to encourage you to bring your doubts and struggles to God with honesty and trust.

questioning God in the Bible

The Example of Job

One of the most well-known stories in the Bible about questioning God is the story of Job.

Job was a righteous man who experienced unimaginable suffering and loss, including the death of his children, the destruction of his property, and the onset of a painful illness. In the midst of his trials, Job wrestled with questions about God’s justice and goodness.

He asked, “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11 NKJV) He also lamented, “If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself?” (Job 7:20 NKJV)

Despite his pain and confusion, Job did not give up on God. He continued to cry out to Him and seek His presence, even when he did not understand what was happening. In the end, God revealed Himself to Job and restored him to a place of blessing and prosperity.

Through his trials, Job learned that God is sovereign and just, even when we don’t understand His ways.

As the book of James tells us, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11 NKJV)

The Psalms: Honest Emotion and Trusting Faith

Another place in the Bible where we see questioning God is in the book of Psalms. Many of the psalms were written by King David, a man after God’s own heart, who experienced both great joys and deep sorrows in his life.

In the psalms, David pours out his heart to God, expressing a wide range of emotions from gratitude and praise to anger and despair.

For example, in Psalm 13, David cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2 NKJV)

But even in the midst of his doubts and fears, David always returns to a place of trust in God. He reminds himself of God’s faithfulness and goodness, and he declares his confidence in God’s salvation.

He writes, “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:5-6 NKJV) Through the psalms, we learn that it is okay to bring our honest emotions and questions to God, as long as we do so with a heart of faith and trust.

Jesus’ Example of Submission and Obedience

As Christians, we look to Jesus as our ultimate example of how to live a life of faith and obedience. Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, experienced the full range of human emotions and struggles during His time on earth.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV) Jesus was facing the prospect of the cross, and He was honest with God about His desire to avoid the pain and suffering that lay ahead.

But even in the midst of His questioning, Jesus submitted Himself to God’s will and trusted in His plan.

We see this same pattern in Jesus’ prayer on the cross, when He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

Jesus was quoting Psalm 22, a psalm that expressed the deep anguish and abandonment that the psalmist felt. In that moment, Jesus identified with the pain and suffering of humanity, and He questioned why God had allowed Him to go through such agony.

But even as He asked the question, Jesus remained faithful and obedient to God’s will, and He committed His spirit into God’s hands (Luke 23:46).

The Importance of Humility and Trust

So what can we learn from these examples of questioning God in the Bible? First, we see that it is okay to bring our doubts and questions to God. He is a loving Father who wants us to come to Him with our honest emotions and struggles.

As the psalmist wrote, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22 NKJV)

However, we also see that there is a proper way to question God. We should come to Him with humility and a willingness to trust in His sovereignty and goodness.

As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?” (Isaiah 45:9 NKJV)

We should approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing that He is the Creator of the universe and the source of all wisdom and understanding.

Finally, we see that the key to questioning God is to ultimately trust in His plan and purpose for our lives. We may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but we can trust that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

As the psalmist wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible does not condemn questioning God, but it does provide us with examples of how to do so in a way that honors God and grows our faith. We can bring our honest emotions and struggles to God, but we must do so with humility and a willingness to trust in His sovereignty and goodness.

Ultimately, the key to questioning God is to submit ourselves to His will and trust that He is working all things together for our good.

As Christians, we can take comfort in the fact that we serve a God who understands our struggles and is always ready to listen to our prayers. We do not have to face our doubts and uncertainties alone.

Instead, we can come to God with confidence, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). May we always approach God with reverence and trust, knowing that He is the source of all wisdom, understanding, and comfort.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.