Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He has the Right Question for You
by Peter Brokaar
Isaiah 40:27-28, NIV
One of the most powerful ways to reach a person is by asking them a question. It engages people and draws them in. Many times, throughout the Bible, we read about real God-encounters where the Lord asks a human being a poignant question. Of course, in each case, He already knew the answer. But, by asking the right question, He helped them understand more of what He wanted to share with them. Here are some examples:
After Adam had sinned, and was hiding away in shame, God called to Adam: “Where are you”? (Genesis 3:9). This brought Adam out of hiding and forced him to confess his sin and shame.
When the Lord visited Abraham and gave the promise of a son, He asked Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh?” And then: “Is anything too hard for me?” (Genesis 18:13-14). This helped Sarah to face her unbelief.
When Elijah was running away from a woman and feeling rather low about things, God asked the prophet “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13). This elicited Elijah’s heart response and led to his final commissioning.
After Peter had failed Jesus and hit rock-bottom, the question Jesus had for his friend was “Peter do you love Me?” (John 21:17). This interaction brought a complete turnaround in Peter’s life and he entered into his God-given destiny calling.
When Saul was in full-fledged persecution mode, Jesus met him and asked “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” This encounter changed the entire course of Church history.
Amazingly, in each of these examples, God called people by name, and asked them just the right question that brought them back to God’s path for their life.
You may have many questions for God - in fact we all do. It’s good to ask those questions. But what is even more powerful, is when God starts off a new conversation by asking a question of us.
I wonder what personal question God might have for you. When He asks you a question, it will be just the right one. I encourage you to ask Him whether He has a question for you. It might completely change your entire life.
Prayer: Thank You, Father, that You know and understand everything about me. I invite You to ask me any question You may have for me, and please help me to hear Your voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Peter Brokaar is Director of Ellel Ministries Scotland and has been there together with his wife Liz since 2005. They have 3 kids, all born in Scotland! In his free time he likes reading, cooking, running and surfing. Being at Ellel Scotland has given him the privilege of getting to know God deeper and sharing that joy with many others.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
