Why?

In 1995 a famous Hollywood actor and a sex worker were arrested for “lewd conduct in a public place.” The actor’s first public appearance following that arrest was on the Jay Leno late-night show. When the actor walked out and sat down, Jay simply looked at him and asked, “What were you thinking?”

I have always admired Jay Leno for that wise question. It broke the tension and there was no accusation nor animosity in it. In fact, we have probably all looked in the mirror and asked ourselves that question at some time in our life. “What were you thinking?” I know I have, multiple times!

I have that question on my mind this morning. A few things have happened recently that brought that question into focus.  However, I am not asking myself “What were you thinking,” I am asking God.

I am in good company asking that question of God … the Psalmists also asked it, although they phrased it a bit differently. They asked, “Why?”  (Psalms 22, 42, 43)

I do not know what kind of a response the Psalmists heard from God. I know God has seldom answered my “Why?” questions. Usually, I just feel His love around me as He softly whispers, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]

For much of life, the answers to “why” types of questions are not given immediately. We can look back and see how God moved in difficult times or see how those tribulations and trials caused us to grow spiritually, but as for immediate answers … they are few and far between.

Today I am asking God, “What were you thinking?”  But, I am not expecting an answer, just the assurance of His presence with me.

Perhaps my favorite Old Testament prophet is Habakkuk. The book of his prophecy is only three chapters long. It begins with a question rather than his pedigree. Most of the Old Testament prophets at least tell you who they are or list the kings that are on the thrones while they are prophesying. Habakkuk does none of that. He just starts asking God questions, such as “how long,” and “why do You ….”

When God responds to his initial questions, Habakkuk asks even more. He wanted to reconcile what he sees going on around him with the goodness of God. Habakkuk saw the approach of the most fearsome nation on earth at that time, and he feared Israel was next to fall to the Babylonians.  He also saw his own nation sinking further into sin and no one seemed willing to stop their descent.

Habakkuk wanted to know why God would use a nation far more sinful than Israel to chastise Israel. He had so many questions … maybe we have some of the same?

God does not exactly answer Habakkuk’s questions. What He does do is reveal himself to the prophet.  At the beginning of Chapter 3, Habakkuk writes of the splendor and the power of His God.

“Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds…. God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran…. His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise. His brilliance is like light…. He stands and shakes the earth; He looks and startles the nations.” [3:2-6a HCSB]

It is after the revelation of God’s splendor and might that Habakkuk moves from “Why” and “How long …” to “No matter what,” or in his words: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” [3:17-18 HCSB]

We may never get our “Why” or “How long …” questions answered. But when God reveals Himself to us, in His Word and in the Power of His Indwelling Spirit, we like Habakkuk can cry out, “No matter what, I will triumph in my LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”  Amen & Amen.