Questioning God or Asking God a Question?

I’d like to explore two questions today. First, is it wrong to question God? Second, Is it wrong to ask God a question? While they sound similar, they are actually quite different. Let’s look at the first one.

Is it wrong to question God?

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:18-20 (KJV)

An angel appeared to Zacharias and told him that his wife would bear a son, John, and told him how God would use him. Zacharias asked how it could be since he and his wife were both old. The angel identified himself as Gabriel and said that Zachariah would not be able to speak until the things he had spoken had come to pass. He gave the reason: “because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” Zacariah was indeed made dumb, so as not to speak forth unbelief and stop God’s plan from coming to pass. He questioned God because he did not believe the Word of the Lord that was conveyed through the angel. He wasn’t asking a question because he didn’t know something; he was asking in unbelief. He was questioning God instead of taking Him at His Word. So, we see that it is not a good idea to question God. When we question God, we show that we don’t believe Him.

Let’s look at the second question.

Is it wrong to ask God a question?

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:30-38 (KJV)

The same angel that appeared to Zacharias appeared to Mary with a Word from God to her. She was told a staggering thing- that she was going to conceive and bear the Son of God. She wasn’t married and was a virgin so naturally she was unsure how it could take place. She was not questioning that God could or would do what He said. She wanted to understand what was going to happen to her to bring this about. She asked God a question, but she did not question Him in unbelief. The angel answered her question with no rebuke or correction. He explained that it would be a supernatural event. She asked a question in faith from a sincere heart. So, we see it is okay to ask God a question to gain better understanding.

One thing these verses do not convey is the tone of voice and attitude displayed by Zacharias and Mary. By the reply of the angel, we can gather that these two people responded very differently. Zacharias’ tone may have been more a voice of ridicule and disbelief, while Mary’s may have been more respectful and full of awe. We can’t be sure, but the angel knew their hearts, as did God.

Others in the Bible asked God questions, like “Why?” or “How?” or even “When?” God does not tell us we cannot come to Him with our questions- as a matter of fact He welcomes us to come to Him. However, we need to ask Him in faith and trust, knowing that even if we don’t hear an answer, He is working things out for our good. We must trust God, commit our cause to Him, and let Him work things out according to His plan for our lives.