“But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.” Exodus 13:18
I don’t know about you…but I have a lot of questions for God. I have silly questions like, “Why mosquitoes?” and I have really serious questions like, “Why did Lilly have to die?” There are days the questions haunt me and there are days when the questions remind me I have an extremely powerful God who knows all and is trustworthy. In reading today’s scripture I am reminded again of the gift that God gave us in the Bible. He shared clearly the reason the Israelites had to walk through the wilderness…the purpose of it…to help them and keep them from turning back…but, did they know? Or did they wonder and question God?
I get that! If I had known in my early 20’s the things God was going to lead me through in my 30’s, there’s a good possibility that I would have pulled a Jonah and gone the opposite direction. Not knowing God’s plan and direction too far in advance, kept me from worrying about things I couldn’t change. The experiences of my life, however, that God led me through prepared me for those really difficult things that were to come.
“So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness,” Luke 20:21-22a, ESV
My questions are not bad. They may be annoying at times (just ask my parents) but God has used them as a way of reminding me that He knows my heart. He sees behind my questions and knows the motivation…He knows the heartache that comes with asking about death and suffering. He knows the joy and fun that comes from wondering and asking about things of creation like mosquitoes (and bats…and spiders…and sharks…ok, I’ll stop). God knew the hearts of the scribes and chief priests and knew their intent was to trap Him. And yet…He still answered them. He didn’t ignore them.
“Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.” Psalm 21:13, ESV
Father, may I rest in the knowledge of your wisdom and power.
May I trust your heart and your purpose for my life.
May I know that in the questions and wonderings of life, you are present and you hear my deepest longing for connection with You. Amen
Mandy Baldwin
Sixty-six books in a year 