Why

<<reason, purpose>>

There is always a ‘why’ or motive, a reason behind our actions, habits and mindset, just as there is for God’s plans (Eph 1:11). The natural principle of cause and effect is the interaction when one action or event (the cause), triggers another action or event (the effect); the effect is the result of the cause.

The natural curiosity of children to ask why opens them up to new possibilities and understanding and is one of the greatest words we can use to aid growth if used as a question not a defiant complaint.

If you are teaching another person something, don’t just show them and observe them doing it but it is helpful to explain the reason, the why.

It is desirable to have enquiring minds, gaining an understanding of life and the world, yet in frustrating times and adverse situations instead of complaining ‘Why me?’ it is better to have a ‘what can I learn?’ attitude. This looks for beneficial solutions and takes you from the victim mentality to an expectant, ‘What do you want to develop in my life now, Lord? Thanks for blessing me with another opportunity to expand my character, reinforce death to my self-life and bring glory to your holy name’. This turns negative circumstances into ones where His power can work. Aim to keep your attitude positive and your words sweet in trying situations, and be proactive to bring good out of what the enemy may have instigated for your harm (Gen 50:20).

While there is no Biblical proof that Satan always needs God’s specific permission before attacking Christians as he did with Job, be assured that as God is still on the throne and cares for us, it is reasonable to assume that there is some measure of protection surrounding each of us as He watches

Instead of asking ‘why, Lord?’ ask ‘what do you want me to do, Lord?’

proceedings on earth (Job 1:9,12, 2:3,6; Heb 4:13; 1 Pet 5:7). Another time Jesus said, “Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:31,32). God allowed the harassing of the disciples, with a higher purpose in mind – the strengthening of them all – and thankfully He knows the level to which we can be tried (1 Cor 10:13). Today He knows the reason for the test, one day we will too, although it may only be in eternity.

Believe that if you are yielded to Christ, your present circumstances are the best means to shape you for eternity as He has permitted them. If we live uprightly we can be confident of His continual love, with no harm or disaster completely destroying us. Anything that touches us will be overruled for good as He will command His angels to guard us in all our ways (Ps 91:9-12; Lk 4:10; Rom 8:35-39). Ultimately God controls everything in the universe, including Satan and we can rest secure in the promise, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”, even if at the present I may not see how it is, so we will be transformed into His likeness (Rom 8:28,29).

God never said the Christian life would be easy; rather there are various hardships and challenges to test what’s in our spirit, to refine our character, and as a witness to those around, as we walk in faith and obedience, always confident He will fulfill His purposes for us (Ps 138:8; Jn 9:3; Act 14:22; Phil 1:6). Living in this fallen world, life does not always go the way we would like and we are tempted to say, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are the miracles our fathers told us about?” (Jdg 6:13). God doesn’t cause the bad stuff. Instead, He equips us with the authority, power and task of dealing with Satan and his works. Christ defeated Satan and has authorized us to use His name to enforce that victory (Mk 16:17,18; Heb 2:14; Jas 4:7,8; 1 Jn 3:8). It is our responsibility not to succumb to self-pity; instead use the tools God has given to see such situations turned around and be overcomers for His glory.

When our prayers are answered ‘our way’ and our hopes are realised, we sense God’s benevolence. Conversely, when there are setbacks and the answers are not as we would like we can feel rejected, let down and even betrayed by Him, with the possibility of hardening our heart but this is the humanistic view, considering God is there to serve us. It was Satan’s opinion too. He said to God, Job only trusts in you because of the blessings he has, remove them and he will curse you (Job 1:9-11, 2:3-5). However Job’s response to multiplied disasters was, can we only expect to receive good from God, and not have a few character forming challenges too? (Job 2:10). Later he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15). He had a mature understanding that life isn’t always fair, that bad things can and do happen to good people. Each day numerous situations are not to our liking, yet they are orchestrated by God, in His sovereignty, to outwork the fruits of the Spirit in our lives, if we will co-operate (Gal 5:22,23).

“Will not the judge of all the earth do right?” asked Abraham. While He promises good things to those who love Him, we can mistakenly think the truth “God is love” means life will go our way in every situation but He has a higher goal than our comfort. He aims to form Godly character and stands alongside to aid us in our problems (Gen 18:25;

God focuses on our character, not our comfort

Ps 34:10, 84:11; Rom 8:29). Faith and trust are developed in the ‘night’ when we can’t see what God is doing. Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way, instead put the energy into walking obediently, for the steps of providence are only comprehended as we look back on them (Prov 20:24).

It is not our right to question or criticise God for what He does. Just as a potter exercises complete control over a lump of clay, so it is God’s prerogative as to what happens to us and we should respond to His molding (Rom 9:20,21). In obedient submission allow Him to do what is for our good. His plans for us are so much superior to anything we can conceive (Isa 55:8,9).

Many things we don’t understand or know the answers to, such as after laying hands on the sick and praying we don’t always see the believed for outcome (Mk 16:17,18; Jas 5:14-16). While obviously we address any possible reason for failure on our part, God is supreme, and has a higher purpose than our perspective, so we must live in the sufficiency of His grace, confident God will do right for we know God is good all the time, and "His love for those who respect Him continues forever" (Ps 103:17).

Recognizing the sovereignty, foreknowledge and holiness of God, the question is asked 'why did God create us?' The Bible states, "All things were created by Him and for Him" (Col 1:16; Rev 4:11). As humans we are made in the image and likeness of God and have the freewill to choose to have a genuine love relationship with Him (Gen 1:26,27; Jn 14:15, 15:14). Although sin destroyed that intimate connection to God because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now live in restored relationship with God and we can love others with the love God gives us. As His representatives we are to participate in His mission of bringing others into a saving knowledge of Christ. We are enriched as we know Him, yet there is a condition to have a close relationship with Him – we must be turn away from sin (Isa 59:2).