question god
"They failed, however, to understand this warning; its meaning was so concealed from them they did not grasp it at all, and they were afraid to question Him about the matter." —Luke 9:45
We often question God concerning disappointments, sufferings, and failures. We ask: "Why me?", "How long?", "What's wrong?", "What can I do?" But we're afraid to ask the Lord other questions. He wants us to ask Him about our daily cross, not to get out of it but into it. Jesus calls us to ask how we can die to self to bear fruit for His kingdom. He motivates us to pray that we may know how to suffer redemptively in "the pattern of His death" (Phil 3:10).
The great saints often questioned God about getting into suffering and finding their joy in it (Col 1:24). Do we grasp the cross at all? (Lk 9:45) Are we afraid to question Jesus about this matter? (Lk 9:45) If we ask the hard question, we'll get a miraculous answer. We'll boast with St. Paul on "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal 6:14). We'll pray with St. Francis: "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world."
Prayer: "Jesus, keep me near the cross. There's a precious fountain."
Promise: "Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day." —Zec 2:15
Praise: When Susan learned to focus on her Problem Solver and not her problems, her life changed.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Redemptive Suffering on audio AV 75-1 or video V-75.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2005
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