Dare to ask why

October 9, 2006

By William E. Richardson

“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation” (Romans 12:12, NKJV).

All of our problems come in two varieties. Some are unpleasant for a while, then end, much like a 24-hour bug. Others drag on, lingering like an obnoxious houseguest who came months ago and still doesn’t know when to leave.

The second kind of problem is the kind that makes us ask questions. “Why me?” “Why this?” “Why now?” “Why doesn’t it get better?”

A lingering problem doesn’t mean God hasn’t heard your prayers. Any minute of any day can be a turnaround moment. That’s how it was for four lepers who were slowly dying in Samaria. Then one of them asked the right question.

The Syrian army had surrounded Samaria. The city was locked down, under siege. Days turned into weeks. Food became scarce. As lepers, the four men had to live outside the city, where their disease continued its gradual process. Those inside the walls who’d enjoyed good health were also slowly dying, from hunger.

One day, one of the lepers asked a question that began with a word he’d likely used before. Only this time, he based his question not on fear of the future but on faith in the future. He said, “Why ...  are we sitting here until we die?”

He suggested risking death at the hands of the Syrian army was better than sitting outside the city dying while doing nothing. His three friends agreed. The four lepers walked toward, then into, the enemy camp. They found the tents standing in place, the horses tied to their posts, and plenty of food.

What a great day! The enemy army was gone. The famine was ended. The lepers were still lepers, but their lives were better because one of them dared to ask, “Why?”

Today, what does, “Why am I sitting here?” mean for you? In what direction do you need to take steps? Do you need to stop counting the days your lingering problem hasn’t improved? Do you need to express a renewed trust in God’s timing? What other steps might you need to take to help you rejoice in hope?

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.