Reflection: God's Answer to "Why?" (July 14, 2013)

The 8th Sunday after Pentecost
Leviticus 18:1-5, 19:9-18; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37

While we may have questions that we’d like to ask God one day, the questions that we actually end up asking Him are almost always “why?” questions. From the simple “Why me?” to the challenging “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, we have a long list of “why?” questions for God. Looking for answers to our “why?” questions outside of the Bible is pointless, but what answers does searching the Scripture provide? Interestingly, God does answer our “why?” questions in His Word. However, He doesn’t give us “why” answers. Instead, God answers our “why?” questions with His “who” answer: “I am the Lord your God.”

Having rejected God’s Word, people in our culture have started asking a different kind of “why?” question. Convinced that God does not have any concern for them or that there is no God at all, they question the concept of absolute truth and morality. Those who desire to live out their lives in open immorality — whether sexually, ethically, or materially — refuse to accept that someone else’s “truth” has any voice in their lives. “Why should I accept your truth?” is a common response to those who speak God’s Word of Law in our society. But it doesn’t stop there. “Why do I need your religion?” is an equally common response to those who would speak the Gospel in our culture. For those who reject the truth of God’s Word, “I am the Lord your God” is not only an unconvincing answer; it falls on deaf ears.

We shouldn’t be surprise that the people of the world reject God’s “who” answer to our “why?” questions when we often find His answer unsatisfying. In challenging circumstances we demand to know more than God has revealed and insist on judging whether or not His Word is sufficient. Like Eve in the Garden, we want to know the things that God has kept from us convinced that He is holding out on us rather than trusting that He is serving us well. We can’t accept that the answers to our “why?” questions may not be good for us or that they could even harm us terribly. But God’s “who” answer breaks through our unfaithful insistence. Because
we know the love and character of God through His Son, we find comfort, hope, peace, and confidence in hearing Him remind us when we come to Him with our “why?” questions with “I am the Lord your God.” Why would we want any other answer?

Click to play an audio file of the sermon "God's Answer to 'Why?"" (or right-click to download).