WHEN WE WONDER WHY


Have you ever wondered why God does what He does?  So often things happen in the lives of Christians that
appear to have no purpose whatsoever, and which seem to be so far  removed from reason.  Sometimes, sorrow
comes to an honest heart that has long yielded to the will of God, and one which has made a sincere effort to be
faithful.  Let’s consider some ways, which we may be consoled, when we are tempted to ask “Why?”

The history of God’s people gives us many such instances.  One is, that of John the Baptist. Jesus, if you
remember loved John and paid him what is perhaps one of the highest compliments paid any man in Holy Writ.  
“Among them that are born of woman there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist, notwithstanding he
that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matt 11:11).  What happened?  At the height of his
ministry John was slain by a weak and evil Herod, at the age of 30, and only six months into his preaching.  
Matthew 14:3-12, says that he was cast into prison after reburking Herod’s sin and later beheaded and his head
was brought on a platter to the daughter of Herodias, who gave it to her mother.  According to Luke 1:5, John
was of priestly descent because his father, Zacharias was a priest and his mother belonged to the family of
Aaron.  In Luke 1:6, they are described as being “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments of the
Lord blameless”.  These were critical times and have you ever wondered why John died, at such an early age of
thirty?  The powers of hell had set themselves against the Son of God, and His church would soon be
established, and could use a man like John to preach the Word. From every human point of view, it would seem
that John would be needed to work in the kingdom, but God allowed Herod to put him to death. Why?  The
answer to that question is hidden in the mind of God and His wisdom.  One day we will understand it, and marvel
at its goodness.

Another good example is that of Stephen, recorded in Acts 6-7.  He is described in Holy Writ as “a man full of
faith and the Holy Spirit.” A man who “did great wonders and miracles among the people”.  He taught in the
synagogue of the Libertines and debated on some ocassions.  When he was lied about and brought to trial, he
looked up toward heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.  Yet, God
allowed this courageous soldier of the cross to die by stoning. In his death he called upon God saying, “Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit. . . Lord lay not this sin to their charge”.  From the human viewpoint, we can certainly see
the need for more men like Stephen, during the days of the early church.  One day perhaps, we’ll understand
and see more clearly and thank God for His wisdom.

From our own experiences, we sometimes have questions we are unable to answer.  We have seen many great
men pass  to their reward, men like brother Goodpasture, brother Marshall Keeble, brother Ira North, brother
Franklin Camp, brother Howard Winters and others.  These men, faithful gospel proclaimers of the Word, have
inspired many of us and could still stir up our souls, for the Truth, if they were still with us.  Our jails are full of
men whose lives are out of tune with the rest of the world and care nothing about things that are spiritual.  Why
not take these, and leave the faithful preachers of the Word?  Of, course, we must be honest and say we don’t
have the answers.  They are tucked away on the shelves of faith for now.  We are not simply qualified to decide
who should live or not.  That decision belongs to God and we must find comfort in the fact that God will not even
allow an untimely death or a useless death. God is in charge, we must realize and He knows what is best.

But there is hope and comfort, and it’s found in the Word of God.  The Scriptures shed a lot of light on the
reasons for God’s actions.  We must bring ourselves to search the Scriptures, somewhere in Holy Writ, God
deals with the very question we are considering here and any question you might have.  Begin by reading Isaiah
55:8-9.  These verses tell us that God does not always look at things the way we do.  Neither is He obligated to
think as we think.  God says that as the heavens are far above the earth so are His ways and thoughts higher
than ours.

Let me close with what I consider the most comforting passage in Holy Writ.  You can read the Scriptures from
Genesis to Revelation and not find a more comforting passage than Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose”.  What things
work together for good?  He says all things.  That covers everything within the scope of human experience.  God
loves us and He has promised that everything that takes place in the lives of the Christian is for good. . . God will
use it to bring about good in our lives.  Every tear we shed when we leave the silent city of the dead, every
sorrow, every misfortune, every sickness.  God will be there to provide us the strength to see it through.  Even
death, He will be there.  You want a good illustration of this, go to Genesis 37-50, read the story of Joseph.  He
suffered and things happened in his life that happen in our lives, yet God was there and saw him through it all.  
How wonderful it is to know that beyond any doubt, the man or woman who lives for the Lord, is not a creature of
chance.  Things do not just happen.  As a child of God I am special in the sight of God and He has promised that
all things that happen will be for good.

Bill Young