07/04/2022
Do we stand a faithful watch as we wait for the Lord to reveal Himself to us, or to hear what He has to say once He does? When our waiting is rewarded, and God speaks, will He call us to task for something in our lives, or faith, and do we wonder what it will be, or how we will answer Him? As we look at our lives, and the practice of our faith, we would like to think that we are obeying Him in everything we do, and are righteous in all aspects of our lives, but are we serving the Lord as we should? Are we wise enough to even know? When He speaks, and we hear His voice, He will ask us a question that causes us to search for an answer, and as we do so, we will realize a fault, or shortcoming in ourselves that has gone unnoticed, or find wisdom that has previously been hidden from us. Are we watching, and listening as we should? Are we wanting to hear Him tell us a truth, or to ask us a question that will lead us to it?
“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.”
Habakkuk 2:1 KJV
The best teachers I ever had did not simply show me how to solve a problem, or lecture me on a subject, no, they asked me questions that led me to discover the answers myself, and in doing so I always answered many more along the way, and drilled much deeper, than had they given me the direct answer to the one specific problem I came to them with. In researching this I ran across these amazing facts… in scripture Jesus was asked 183 questions, of which he only answered 3. But, He asked 307 questions Himself. Listen to this example…
“As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”
Matthew 11:7-9 ESV
In the scripture we just read Jesus asked quite a few questions, but even when He finally seems to answer one directly by saying “Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” we come to realize that we are left trying to answer yet a question… “what is meant by more than a prophet?”
Our belief in God, and faith in Jesus Christ, are not blueprints, they are more akin to treasure maps with mysteries to be solved, or jewels to be collected, as we seek out the eternal fortune we desire. Jesus almost always asks us a question in response to one, and leads us to discover for ourselves an understanding of not only what we had originally asked him, but many other truths that surface as we contemplate the solution to our first question.
“Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:9-12 ESV
So are we standing watch as we should? Are we listening for the Lord’s answer to what we want to know, or awaiting His questioning that will lead us to so much more? Are we wanting to hear Him tell us a truth, or to ask us a question that will lead us to it?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the questions you ask us that prove to be like onions as you show us the outer skin of our faith, but lead us to see it in its entirety as we peel back each layer, one at a time. We thank you for allowing us to understand your depth by asking us what appears to be a simple question, but one that leads us to an answer that leads us to even more questions. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who draws us ever closer by embracing us tighter as we answer the question that Jesus asked Peter… “Do you love me?” Praised be your name for treating us like your prized sheep as you herd us towards greener pastures, and still water. Merciful are you who has given us a glimpse of you through our own eyes, and joined with us in relationship by revealing your love to us through the questioning of Jesus. Wash us in the blood of Christ, and cleanse us of all sin. Pour out your grace upon us, and let us come to know you more each and every day by seeking out the answers regarding faith, and your will for us. On our day of judgement will you judge by questioning us Father, or by revealing how well we answered your questions as we lived out our lives? Either way we seek to please you, obey you, and strive to answer your every question with fear, trembling, and all our love.
Rich Forbes