Why, Oh Why?

As we start this New Year, and recover from the celebrations with friends and family, it seems a suitable time to pause and take stock of our lives. Maybe you are making new year’s resolutions. I wonder, does anyone ever keep them? But perhaps it is a good moment for a fresh look at the state of our personal relationship with Father God. Of course, we know that truthfulness is an essential part of any relationship but is especially important if we want it to grow stronger and closer. But being truthful isn’t always easy, even with those we love the most, in fact it may sometimes be hardest with them. This is especially so if the truth isn’t something we think they will want to hear. Jeremiah must have been very aware of that as he tried to deliver the challenging message that God had given him for Judah, to bring them to their senses.

So, it’s very encouraging to me that Jeremiah, a major prophet from a priestly town and whose name may mean ‘Yahweh exalts’, feels comfortable enough to be totally truthful about his feelings with God. Something is really bothering him as he assesses the state of the world around him, and God’s seeming passivity. He doesn’t hold back, thinking it might spoil his relationship with God, but rather he truthfully questions God. Why is it so unfair? Why do wicked people seem happy and well off? This question really resonates with me as I look around at the world today, and nothing has changed over the centuries. Jeremiah and I are not the only ones to raise this matter. Habakkuk puts it like this: ‘You are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will You wink at their treachery? Should You be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?’ (Habakkuk 1:13, NLT). And David shouts out, ‘look at those wicked people- enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply’ (Psalm 73:12, NLT). I suspect many of us still want to ask God this question.

But what does God answer? Well, first let’s notice that He isn’t angry that the question has been asked. It certainly doesn’t spoil His relationship with those who dared to raise this issue. In fact, His responses to them seem tender and understanding. He values them and their courageous honesty. David explained in the Psalm what he did next: ‘I went into your sanctuary, oh God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked’ (verse 17). Habakkuk Chapter 2 gives us part of God’s response. ‘But at the end I will speak, and I will not lie, though it tarries wait for it’ (verse 3). It seems it’s a matter of waiting until finally it is God’s time to explain. God will give understanding to those who turn to focus on Him. I’m sure Joseph struggled with the same question as he endured repeated injustice in his early life. But he waited for God’s plan and eventually it was revealed. Despite all the injustice, God was blessing Joseph and saving Jacob and all the family when the way ahead for them seemed hopeless.

Clearly God sees it all, the wickedness, and the unfairness, and although it may not make sense to us today, there will be justice. God tarries because He desires that none will perish. He is still in control, and it is certain that there will be judgement and mercy, in His perfect time. We often can’t grasp fully what God is doing. His ways are not our ways, and His plans may seem incomprehensible to us. But we can be sure He isn’t blind or looking the other way. He will bring justice if we can only trust Him and wait for the completion of the full story. Then we will see the big picture, and the beauty of the right side of the tapestry, which at present seems all a muddle of untidy ends.

So, as we start this new year, let’s learn some lessons from Jeremiah, Habakkuk, David, and the life of Joseph. Firstly, it’s OK to be totally truthful with God, to pour out our ‘why’ questions and to be real about what seems so hard in our lives. Secondly, if we draw close and wait, He will answer. We can receive His assurance that He sees it all, understands our feelings and will bring justice. Finally, despite how things may appear to us, God is in control and justice will prevail. We may not see it in our lifetime, but everything will certainly all make perfect sense when we see it clearly from God’s perspective, in eternity.