Asking the Big 'Why'

Scripture: I will say to God, 'Don’t just condemn me—tell me why you are doing it. Does it really seem right to you to oppress and despise me, a man you have made; and to send joy and prosperity to the wicked?'. Job 10:2-3

Scripture: While Job flip-flops back and forth about the nature of God - declaring his great power but also stating his wielding of that power cannot be understood - Job comes to this one question ... why.

This is the most common version of the question 'why' when those who do not understand God ask it. It is mostly the "why bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people" question. This question often includes some version of asking why God doesn't just make everything perfect for everyone; why God would create humans, then seemingly either allow or maybe even cause hardships and pain to befall them.

The genesis of Job's question is a wrong assumption ... that he has been condemned, and thus now despised and oppressed. Since he knows he can never be wholly good, his logic is that condemnation is thus inevitable, and further this sort of punishment is also inevitable. In that case, being born is just a path to evil hardship, and thus pointless. And yet ... some people never receive such hardship, though many of them are clearly evil. This is the philosophical dilemma, and Job wants it explained.

Application: I have been directly asked this 'why' question by non-believers. I have myself asked this question! This is the predominant question of anyone who questions God's sovereignty and authority, for they believe there is a paradox between the idea of a God who loves all people, and a God who (at best passively) allows pain and evil.

I know the answer to this question ... or at least I know the philosophical reasoning of the answer. I understand the reality of evil in the world, the fallen nature of mankind, the reality of my own sin, and the relationship with God as sovereign Lord and Jesus as Messiah we must decide and foster for ourselves in order to live into our faith. However, there are times is seems like a life without hardship would be great, and my faith in the Lord tells me it is completely within his power to achieve that, so ... why all the pain?

Interestingly, this is a question we feel like God doesn't answer, yet he likely answers it all the time. He never says, "Because ____" and fills in the blank, however he does teach us about his love and mercy, available through a life of hope, faith, and relationship with him. And he gives us the knowledge that such a life involves turning to him during times of trial, rather than never having the trials.

Prayer: Lord, I have tried to stop asking 'why', though I'm sure I still do from time to time. I prefer to focus on the 'how', which is that, in my evil nature, I can still have a relationship with you through faith in my mediator, Jesus. Thank you for your love. Amen.