HEY GOD. CAN I ASK?

Imagine you are in the wilderness for a long while. Now come the exciting time. Time to go over to Canaan land. First, there's this need to spy out the land. You have eleven others with you. Off you go. After the mission, there was a huge let down. Only you and Caleb gave positive reports while the rest transferred their fear and hopelessness to the entire camp. Chaos followed rebellion. God kicks in and the sentence ... 40 years in the wilderness. For the rebellion, it's understandable. Check the problem before it grows worse. But for you and Caleb? Was it fair and just? I mean, forty years is a long time! I wonder if Joshua and Caleb ever questioned God's decision.

Do you ever question God? Is it wrong to question God? Will God be angry if we questioned Him? After all we are only human and we don't know nor understand all things. When asked the same questions, Pastor Rick Warren said it's alright to question God as long as we don't question His morality and character. We do not and must not doubt God's morality and character. God is God and He is perfect. He doesn't need to improve, neither can He improve.  Just because we feel injustice doesn't mean God is unjust. It just means we need to see a bigger picture. And if you stick close enough to God, you'll see it.

So what do we do in moments when we feel God is neither fair nor just?

1. Accept the fact that He is just and right. Don't question His morality and character.

2. Look for the bigger picture. It may take a while but if you care to look, you'll see. And when you see, you'll understand. When you understand, you'll be encouraged to know that God has been with you all the time. You just didn't see it.

3. Take it as a test. You  know in exams, those who pass the tests get the promotion. Those who fail get retained.

Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who realized the dream of their forefathers. Even in old age when men's health fails and strength wanes, Caleb still had the strength and calibre of a young man. God kept him healthy! That in itself is priceless. Life is not just about today. Today is important. Tomorrow too matters. Go ahead. Ask God your questions.

Come now, and let us reason together, said the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isa. 1:18)