Questioning is one of the first skills we learn. Children exploring the world around us, often ask “Why?”. In 2014, Newsweek reported that preschool children ask their parents an average of 100 questions a day. As children of God, we can find ourselves in similar patterns, asking Abba about the world around us and how we fit into His grand plans. Just like earthly parents, God’s responses vary based on His intimate knowledge of us. God’s answers are as general or specific as He deems necessary.

As disciples of Jesus, we serve an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God. Since God all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present, He can handle our barrage of questions. However, posing questions to the Creator of the Universe poses risks. When we ask God questions, we need to:

1. Pray from our hearts – God knows our thoughts and motives, confessing them is an exercise that benefits us, not God.  Luke 18:13-14 says ““But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.‘ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
2. Pray with expectation – We must release each burden that we deliver to the Lord. There is no benefit to ending our prayer and picking up that same package. Psalm 5:3 says “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice. In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
3. Wait and watch for God’s answer – Time waiting on God is never time wasted. Micah 7:7 says “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
4. Commit ourselves to obedience – God provides us with daily opportunities to be practice obedience. Revelation 14:12 says “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.”
5. Trust in God’s answers – Even when it feels scary, looks like a setback, or takes you out of your comfort zone, remember that God is setting you up for your ultimate victory. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Instead of assuming God’s role, answering our own questions, we can trust in God’s sovereignty. Revelation 22:13 says “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Regardless of the circumstance, trusting in God replaces worry and frustration with a sense of peace. 2 Peter 1:2 says “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

When God provides a response, it may not even remotely resemble the answer that we expect. God is very creative. Isaiah 55:8 says ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” His solutions are not designed to elevate us, but to glorify Him. Each of us has a part in God’s divine plan. God knows exactly where we fit in the grand scheme for eternity. Roman 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Submitting ourselves to God’s will is humbling. It is a major risk and contrary to our human nature. Yet, it reaps tremendous rewards from now into eternity. We can pray and ask God for wisdom to ask Him questions and the courage to be obedient to the answers He provides. Ephesians 1:17-19a says “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”