Not What or How, but Who

Not What or How, but Who

September 2, 2023 Off By Donna Wuerch

Ever asked this question? “What would you do?” It might be shouted over the laughter and squeals of children or whispered between tears in a living room. It might be me asking my neighbors about how to get rid of those annoying ants.

We might all be looking for answers of some kind. And the good news is, God has not left us alone with our questions. In fact, He wants us to ask Him our questions.

I love this verse: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Over and over in Scripture, God welcomes His children to ask questions.

But He doesn’t always answer in the way we want. That’s because God is concerned most with our hearts in the asking. He will always do what brings us the most long-term good, even if that means changing us through hard things. Ugh! Really, Lord?

Just as He did when the Israelites begged in the Old Testament: “What will we drink? Where will we live? What army will fight for us?” God invites us to first remember who He is, what He’s done in the past, and what He promises to do in the future.

God wants us to draw near to Him and when we do, He turns our questions from “What?” into “Who?” “Who is the One who loves me? Who is the One who cares for my every need? Who will protect me? Who is the One who sees me 24/7?”

Asking, “What do I do?” is still a valid question, but let’s also ask the better question: “Who”? God promises that we can trust Him to provide all we need for life through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Whatever question we might be asking today, we shouldn’t be afraid to bring it to the foot of the cross. Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly what to do in every situation, but it does tell us Who God is, what His plan is, what His character looks like, and how He works and wills. Those are the things that help us live a faith-filled life.

We might not always understand God and His ways, but what a gift that He draws near in the asking, inviting our questions, and answering with what we need most of all: God Himself.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8

Here I go again with sharing one of my favorite songs that describes the loving friendship of God. Please listen and embrace this Friend Who is closer than any brother could ever be. “God Really Loves Us” by Dante Bowe and David Crowder.

I’ve got a friend
Closer than a brother
There is no judgement
Oh, how He loves me

I’ve got a friend
And He is my strength
He is my portion
With me in the valley
With me in the fire
With me in the storm

Let all my life testify
Hallelujah
We are not alone
God really loves us
God really loves us
Hallelujah
Oh, praise my soul
God really loves us
God really loves us