12122020 Seeking Answers

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the Wonderful Counselor. Aren't you glad we serve a God who has all the answers?

Lesson #17. In the midst of a trial, it's natural to want answers. "Why?" might be the question that most readily comes to mind, but that certainly is not the only question. We do wonder about the trial itself, about its origin, its length, and its purpose. We also inquire about how we can handle the trial, how we can go on day after day, how we can do the right thing and glorify God through it. Often we question what we are doing wrong, perhaps what we may have done wrong to cause the trial, what we are doing wrong in our response to the trial, and whether our failures are extending the trial. Some questions might primarily be expressions of our helplessness, but other questions sincerely desire a response.

Job had many questions, and any number of verses would reflect his searching, confusion, and inquiries. He said to his friends, "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred" (6:24). Just like we do today, Job wanted his friends and counselors to give answers to him. Job's friends tried. They came up with some good truth, but they had a major shortcoming. They did not know the big picture. They did not have a complete knowledge of God. They misinterpreted the situation based on their limited knowledge. As a result, they said some unhelpful and some very hurtful things to Job. They were not able to answer his questions.

Thank God for spiritual counselors who are compassionate, willing, and insightful. This is a gift and provision of God. Often God uses such people to guide us, refocus us, remind us, calm us, instruct us, pray with us, enlighten us. Many times God even brings along someone who has been through a very similar situation, and that person has a level of compassionate understanding that is particularly helpful and comforting.

Sometimes there isn't such a counselor. Geographic separation may prevent it. Our position might limit to whom we can go. The situation may be too sensitive to share with others. Our personality may resist sharing our deepest problems with others. There may not be anyone who really understands the dynamics of the situation or who can cope with its complexity. Human counselors will fail. Even those who earnestly try will sometimes say the wrong things.

Job became very frustrated with his human counselors when they seemed incapable of answering his questions with any satisfaction. Eventually he turned his attention away from them and toward God. He realized people were not going to be able to help him, but he believed that God could. Job begged for God to answer his questions and give him insight. "I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me" (23:5-6).

Job desired God's input and answer, and this is the right pursuit for us as well. If God were counseling me, what would He say? God understands every situation. God knows each individual. He knows exactly why the trial happened, even the complexity of multiple causes. He knows what He wants to accomplish. He knows the way out, and He knows how we ought to respond each day. He knows if correction is needed in our lives. God knows the answer to every question we have in the midst of our trial. When Job finally got answers, his help came from God.

Rarely, however, do we get a personalized explanation. There is no voice from heaven that outlines the specifics of our individual trials. (Even Job didn't get that.) We have a tremendous advantage today that Job did not have. We have the completed Word of God. The Bible has tremendous capacity to address individual situations because it gives fundamental truths and guiding principles that apply universally. The Bible is supernaturally effective because its truth transcends individual circumstances. Its truths are so powerfully and divinely wise that they apply to diverse situations. I once did a study of all the references I could find in the New Testament that addressed response to trials. My conclusion is that God has given us His answers. He has addressed all our questions.

I recall a time in my life when I had been deeply struggling. In His providence, God supplied a godly counselor at a critical time. This friend was helping me tremendously on my journey of restoration and revival. Then, by circumstances completely outside my control, I was geographically separated from this counselor, even though I was still very much in the midst of my time of need. We continued talking by phone on a regular basis, but one week when I was especially needy, she was unavailable even by phone. In that needy time, God gave me guidance through His Word. He guided me and enlightened me with His truth, even when no person was available. That was an exciting and rewarding experience to see God personally meet my need. God can do that, and He does it often.

We ought not to ignore people as sources of help. God wants us to help each other, and He instructs us in His Word to encourage and exhort one another. Just like it was for Job, however, the ultimate source we must turn to is God. He is the only one who truly knows all the answers, and He can reveal them to us and guide us through what we don't understand. That may require some humble submission, some earnest pleading, and some diligent searching, but God wants us to learn the answers to all of the questions that really matter. May you find Him abundantly sufficient this week for all your needs.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA