We often have questions of God. Questions like: Where are you? Why did You allow this? and What kind of good can come out of this?
Yet God has questions of us, as well. Not because He doesn’t know the answers. He knows all things. The questions God asked throughout Scripture – in the Old and New Testaments – were to get usto think, to repent, and to return.
God’s first question was to Adam in Genesis 3:9: Where are you? And all the other questions He asked of mankind were similar, as if to say What is going on in your heart? Who are you listening to? And What are you believing about Me that is not true? Here are five questions Jesus, God in the flesh, asked in Scripture, and how those questions still apply to you and me today:
- Who do you say I am?
Many people were confused about Jesus’ identity. Some people were saying He was Elijah. Others said He was Jeremiah or a prophet. Some believed He was a good teacher or a great magician. Jesus asked this question of His followers in Matthew 16:15, not for His own affirmation, but because who they believed He was would make all the difference in their lives. He wanted them to be able to answer the question accurately.
Who do you say that Jesus is? A good man? A great teacher? One of many ways to heaven? Or do you say He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), as Jesus described Himself? I want my answer to be like Peter’s as recorded in Matthew 16:16: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Or, may it be more personal, like Thomas’ declaration in John 20:28 (but without having to “feel” Jesus to know He is real): “My Lord and My God!”
2. Do you believe?
Many people came to Jesus asking for something. A miracle. A healing. A free lunch. Jesus challenged them with this question to expose their motives. Did they want a handout or did they truly believe Who He was and what He could do?
When we come to God with our shopping lists, the question that remains on Jesus’ heart is “Do you believe?” Jesus said in Matthew 21:22: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Let’s not be like the double-minded one in James 1:6-8 who doubts, and is “like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind.” May our response to Him be like that of the demon-possessed boy’s father who replied honestly in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
3. Do you want to get well?
This seemed like an odd question for Jesus to ask a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. But Jesus wanted to know if the man – who had been lying by the pool of Bethesda waiting to be cured by a Spirit that would occasionally stir up the waters – knew what he wanted. That man might have been so wrapped up in his unfortunate situation that he identified himself as “the one who has been here the longest” or “the one who was the worst off” (John 5:1-15). If Jesus cured him, who would he be?
When we complain to God about our circumstances or give Him excuses why we are still in the same place, spiritually or emotionally, year after year, perhaps the question He still aims at our hearts is Do you want to get well? Do you want to move forward, spiritually? Do you want to make progress emotionally? Do you want to go to a new place where God can be your all-in-all, not the situation that you have let define you? May our response to His question be: Lord Jesus, I want You. Open my eyes to see You for Who You are. Open my ears to hear Your voice. Heal my legs so I can follow You. Heal my heart so I can love You more.
4. Why are you so afraid?
In Matthew 8:26, Jesus asked His followers why they were so afraid their boat would overturn on account of some wind and waves, especially since He was right there in the boat with them. Certainly if the Son of God was in their midst, they would safely get to the other side of the lake.
You and I have Jesus with us in every circumstance we encounter. Furthermore, He has promised to never leave us or desert us (Hebrews 13:5). So, what are we so afraid? I want my answer to be Forgive me, Lord, for fearing that anything is stronger than You or outside Your control.
5. Why did you doubt?
It’s easy to believe in God when we’re asking for our daily bread and for God to bless our jobs and keep our families safe. But what about when God asks you to do the impossible?
When Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a storm they were terrified and thought he was a ghost. Then Peter said “Lord, if it’s you tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:26). Jesus told him to “Come.” Scripture tells us “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (verses 29-31).
Are you still doubting Jesus after what You’ve seen Him accomplish in the Scriptures and in your life? If Jesus can walk on the water, turn the water into wine, and give you living water, surely He can keep you from the waters that threaten to rock your boat.
Do you struggle with answering any of these questions of God’s? I’d love to hear it in the comment section below. And watch for “5 More Questions Jesus Asked” on my blog next week.
Hey Cindy,
I often ask at least one of these questions. I always get an answer, sometimes its not what I want to hear, but if God says so its a slam dunk.
Prayer is powerful, so if I have asked for something to be done, changed or just explained, i am specific in my questions.
The one thing is, i always say Thank you no matter what Gods answer is.
Thank you, Jan, for sharing that wisdom. God ALWAYS answers, just not in the way we want sometimes. Thank you, too, for pointing out the importance of being grateful to God and thanking Him regardless of His answers. In our humanity, we can often get into the mode of expecting something from God and feeling entitled, and we forget the amazing privilege it is to simply be able to come and lay requests at His feet and answer His invitation to a relationship with the Living God. Again, thank you for your comments.
Have you written this in any of your books? If so, which one? Thank you. These are excellent answers to these questions.
Hi Lucille: This blog is adapted from material in my book, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts. In that book I address many of the questions women ask (like “Where was God?” and “Why did I have to hurt like this?”) and provide scriptural answers in context and in detail.
Thank you for asking. Blessings on your day.
Your information is truly a blessing to those who take the time to read it. Thank you for all you do.
You’re welcome, Marquette. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.
Amen 🙏!!! Thank you for the honesty and encouragement! Blessings to you !!!😊
You’re welcome, Sharon. Blessings to you, as well. 🙂
Thank you so much …I enjoyed reading about the 5 questions God has for us….what advice would you have for someone who doesn’t doubt God at all, but doubts myself all the time….I have very little self confidence….
Hi Kathy: I wouldn’t be too concerned about a lack of self confidence if you have an abundance of God-confidence. When we trust Him and His empowering Spirit and truly believe His Word which says we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13), and that He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or think according to His power that works within us (Ephesians 3:20), then it isn’t about us and our ability, anyway. It’s about what He can do through us. It’s when we have self confidence but no God-confidence that we are in trouble.
Thanks, be blessed.
My youngest daughter and I have been estranged for 4 years now and she has a 3-year-old son. This is something I struggle with deeply. I am totally in the dark as to why. I have asked in texts and letters to no avail. I have prayed and prayed about it to no avail. She and I said some ugly things to each other in the last texts to each other. I was hurt and angry and I said some things I regret. I sent a letter of apology to no avail. She said she could hold grudges for a long time and that I couldn’t see her son. It is hard for me to see how God doesn’t’ intervene in my situation and for me not to doubt and lose hope.
good morning, I am from south Africa , Yes we all need prayers, and sometimes we don’t understand why our prayers feels it falls on the ground. I pray for money to pay my son’s study fees, we really need the money, thanks for your info, I also use it for my bible study time.
I have asked God one question for nearly 20 years. I still don’t get an answer. I am a follower but my journey has been up and down. I know God has always been there for me but still I don’t get an answer. What career path should I take? What is my destiny? Do I ask the wrong questions? I have always been indecisive in all decisions I have to make, from what would you like to drink to what chocolate I should choose. I like a lot of things in life but still can’t decide what job/career I should choose? I am 43 this year. Please help?
HI Anna. I believe I can help. Although God has a desired plan for our lives, He also gives us choices in what we’d like to do and He honors those choices if those choices are obedient and honoring to Him. Years ago I heard a famous preacher say “Love God with all your heart and do whatever you desire.” That, of course, needs to be said in context because when we love God with all our hearts, He places within our hearts His desires and then they eventually become our desires. (Psalm 37:4). Also, through the years, my book When a Woman Discovers Her Dream has helped many women discover choose a career path or discover God’s dream for them through a process of looking at your natural God-given abilities, your spiritual gifts, your unique background, the pain and wounds that have shaped you and the deep desires of your heart. I created a process, through that book, to take you chapter-by-chapter into discovering what it is God has specifically designed you to do to give you a better idea of where you can most give Him glory. But my bottom line in that book is to love Him with all our hearts, trust His path, and let everything we encounter be an opportunity to glorify Him. I believe that book would help you with where you are in life right now. Blessings.
Cindi, Do you remember the first Women’s Bible Study of yours that I attended? All the women in attendance spoke of God and Jesus speaking to them. Being a recovered Catholic who had Saints deliver our messages to the Lord, I was i amazement that He was speaking to these women and I was missing out. And as my Spiritual walk refines and defines me, I realize the importance of all of these questions and know that the answers and the ‘voice’ of the Lord is found in Scripture. He speaks to us every day if we can find the time to be quiet, sit still and listen with an open heart, mind and soul. He gives us tools, road maps, encouagement, and answered prayers. That Women’s Bible Study in our quaint little church was my starting point and you, as the heart of the Lord, guided many of us lost people in the way of the Lord. God Bless and thank you! Rita J. Peters
So good to hear from you again, Rita. And yes, I remember that study and all you ladies quite well. I remember you saying “Whaaatt??” and getting frustrated at the thought of actually hearing God speak to us personally through His Word and through His whispers on our hearts. So, it is so good to hear how far you’ve come in your personal walk with Him and that you are learning to enjoy being still so you can hear what He wants to say to your heart. Again, great to hear from you and recall those memories of where it all started. That memory — and you — remain precious to me. 🙂