TITLE: Questions for God

TEXT: Jeremiah 12:1-5

PROPOSITION: When in trouble, we question God's judgments.

QUESTION: Which?

KEY WORD: Questions

SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. When in pain, trouble, we try to out think God.
2. Some DOUBT God; Some DENY God
3. Most of us just QUESTON God.

God, you are righteous, but I do not understand your judgments.

1. Why do the wicked prosper? (1)
2. Why are the wicked so happy? (1)
3. Why did you put such people on the earth? (2)
4. They are not genuine in their claims, like I am. (2)
5. You know me, tested my heart, yet I am pulled out for slaughter. (3)
6. How long will the land suffer (plants, animals, birds)? (4)
7. Why can't they see that there will be an end to this? (4)
8. We can't keep up with footmen, how can we run with horses? (5)
9. If we are upset about our land now, what happens when the flood comes? (5)

Logical Responses

1. These questions IMPLY – I am smarter than God.
   If God were smart, He would do it different.
2. Isaiah 55:8-9 – My ways are not your thoughts
3. Jeremiah 10:23 – Not in man to direct his steps
4. We are not as smart as God. Romans 11:33 ways are past finding out
5. Proverbs 14:12 – Way that seems right = death
6. Logic should teach us not to question God.
7. Experience should teach us not to question God.

Key Elements in God's System for life (4 main points)

1. Choice – Humans have free moral agency – free to choose right or wrong.
2. Multiple – To be free – there must be two or more choices.
3. Good / Bad – Some choices must be better or worse than others.
4. Consequences – With each choice come consequences
5. Man and sin are the major (not only) cause of pain and suffering.
6. Satan – presents the temptation – we have the power to resist.
   1 Corinthians 10:13 – common to man, not too big, way to escape
   James 1:12-15 – drawn away of our own lusts
7. Do not blame God. When we choose sin, we also choose the consequences.
   Galatians 6:7-9 – Reap what you sow, in proportion, and more than you sow
8. God's will is that we never should have sinned in the first place. (1 John 2:1)
   God will forgive the GUILT of the sin.
   The consequences will remain.

Conclusion:

1. Quote from Gospel Advocate (see below)
2. We will never fully understand God's decisions.
3. Our challenge is to accept what we do not understand.

"When mankind will do God's will on earth as it is in heaven, diseases like AIDS
will not plague us. Wars will not destroy and ravage. Famine will not consume us.
Famines do not exist because there is not enough food to feed the hungry. Famines
exist because of the greed of many men on the one hand, the laziness of many on the
other, and the lact of care and concern on the part of the "haves" for the hunger and
thirst on the part of the "have nots."

"Man is the one who is evil. God is good, and God is great."

Gospel Advocate, 10/15-87, F. Furman Kearley