Day 38 - He gives us Himself

This morning, I read a "Verse for the Day" from my Women's Daily Devotional Bible.

The verse is found in Joshua 1:9: "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

The Study reads: "Sometimes when we ask God our Why questions, instead of giving us answers, He gives us Himself. "

For example, a conversation the author, Mary Jane Worden, had with her daughter puts this into perspective. Mary Jane's daughter had requested a sleep over at a friend's house. Mary Jane does not allow it, and says to her daughter, "I can give you my reasons, but you won't like them or understand them, and you'd only argue with me. So let's just accept that this is the way it's going to be. I'm sorry you feel sad."

Isn't it like that when we question the Lord..."But why not!?"

God doesn't tell us "why not," but instead says to us, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Basically, God is saying, "Because I said so...But remember, I am with you."

Matthew 28:20 explains it, as well: "I am with you always...even to the end of time."

It's hard for me not to ask of God, "But why not?!" Especially when I want to succeed in something that I haven't succeeded in...or when I would like to have a change in my life that I feel would somehow improve my life, but the Lord just isn't opening those doors. I think, worst of all, would be when a loved one is ill, maybe with cancer, and prays diligently for healing...only it doesn't happen. That would really be a time for "But why NOT!?"

We need to remember that God doesn't answer our "why" or "why not" questions...He only asks that we remember that He is right beside us...ALWAYS.