2. “Questions For God” Questions For God The following question was posed to people across the nation, “If you could get in contact with God directly, ask a question, and get an immediate reply— what would you ask?” “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes” (Genesis 18:27). “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” (Job 38:2-3).

3. “Questions For God” “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”; “Here is one that must ever be clouding the truth...with words ill-considered” (Knox). Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good”. Many of the questions that sadly keep some people from believing in God or serving Him have already been answered long ago in the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3; John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). “Are we honest enough to accept God’s answer to our questions?” “Will we believe the truth when we hear it?” “Are we looking for answers or are we looking for excuses not to believe and obey?”

4. “Questions For God” “The Question of Our Purpose” The highest percentage (34%) wanted to know, “What is my purpose here?” That is the reason for which we were made. (Isaiah 43:7) The whole duty of man is to fear (reverence) God and obey His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). There is no reason for human existence apart from serving the Creator, and in this we find our greatest contentment” (Christian Courier: Penpoints, 6-14-1999).

5. “Questions For God” “The Question of Life after Death” The next group (19%) was anxious to inquire, “Will I have life after death?” Yes, there is life after death, but it will be either an eternity with the Lord (Philippians 1:21-23), or an eternity of suffering (Luke 16:22-26; Matthew 25:46; Matthew 8:11-12). Our destiny depends upon whether we are obeying Jesus Christ or not (Matthew 7:21- 23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

6. “Questions For God” At this juncture, some ask the question posed by the agnostic Charles Templeton: “How could a loving Heavenly Father create an endless hell and, over the centuries, consign millions of people to it because they do not or cannot or will not accept certain religious beliefs?” First of all, men and women can believe the truth and are without excuse for not accepting it (Romans 1:18; John 3:19; Revelation 2:21). Secondly, rejecting God’s truth has resulted in war, rape, envy, jealousy, pride, and all the things we call “social pathologies”.

7. “Questions For God” The Question of Human Suffering Another segment (16%) wanted to know, “Why do bad things happen?” God created mankind with a freewill (Deuteronomy 30:15) We can suffer because of our own sins (1 Peter 4:15); we can also suffer because of the sins of others (Romans 5:12). Neither can we ask God to exempt us from such suffering, for it is common to all men and God is impartial. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 2:11).

8. “Questions For God” The Question of Human Suffering Jackson notes, “The important question is not: Why do these things happen? They will continue to happen whether or not we understand their purpose. The question should be how are we to act in response to life’s hardships?” Peter noted that the Christian response to suffering was not to consider it has some “strange” thing (1 Peter 4:12), but rather to rejoice in such sufferings, knowing that they can serve to make one stronger (1 Peter 1:6-8).

9. “Questions For God” The Question of Life in Outer Space A few (7%) would like to know it there is intelligent life elsewhere. Jackson notes, “A cynic might wonder whether there’s much ‘intelligent’ life here on earth!” Compare this statement with Luke 18:8 “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Yes, there is intelligent life beyond this earth. In heaven there is the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in addition to all the angels.

10. “Questions For God” “How long will I live?” “Six percent would like to know exactly how long they would live. Jackson responds, “Would you really want to know that? Such would be like being on death row—counting off the days until the time of execution. Moreover, many would live unrestrained, wicked lives saving the day before their death as a time of obedience. What glory would there be in that for God? Indeed, what honor for man?” In reality, we need to be living as if each day were our last (Colossians 4:5 “making the most of the opportunity”; 2 Peter 3:9-12).

11. “Questions For God” “Why were humans created?” In response Paul noted that God does not “need” anything or anyone, “nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25). Jackson notes, “It is one thing to say that God created mankind because He is a God of love (1 John 4:8), and it is quite another to suggest that He created angels and people because of a need to love”. Long before angels and people were created, there had been eternal love between the members of the Godhead (John 1:1; 17:5).

12. “Questions For God” “When You Attack Faith” People often forget that at the last day, God may have some questions for us: “How did you use your mind?” “How did you use your influence?” “How did you use your time?” “How did you use your talents?” “How did you use your resources?” “How did you respond to adversity?” “How did you treat other people?” “How did you respond to the truth?” “How did you trust?” “How or what did you love?” “Who did you bring to Me?”