Many times I have heard questions that begin with the phrase, “How can God…” Typically those questions are accusatory. How could God allow bad things to happen to good people? How could God make only one way to heaven? How could God command this or that?
With the growth of questions like those we see a massive change in human attitudes. In so many ways, people of our generation believe that we have the ability and the right to sit in judgment over God, his principles, and his commands. We think that we have the intellect to examine how the universe is governed and point out flaws and inconsistencies.
Years ago, however, people understood something different. People did not ask things like, “How could a loving God send anyone to hell?” Instead, years ago, they asked questions that marveled at the fact that God might be gracious to anyone at all.
Psalm 8:3-4
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
In Psalm 8, we see a glorious question being asked. As the psalmist considers the majesty of God, the vastness of space, the beauty of the heavens, and wonders of creation, he is stunned. He recognizes, as we see in Psalm 16:1, that the creation displays for us to see the power and glory of God. Clearly, a God who can create such a universe with the sun, moon, and stars is amazing. Clearly a God who can create our planet with the mountains and the oceans and the deserts and the forests and the rivers and the canyons and the rest must be holy, above and beyond us.
As the psalmist considers the obvious greatness and supremacy of God, the right question comes to his mind. With God being so great, who are we? Why would God give us a second thought? Why Would God care? How could God possibly be kind to rebels like us?
The psalmist had the right question. The right question is not, “How could God not save everybody?” The right question is, “How could God save anybody?” We should never marvel that anybody is lost. We should be absolutely dumbstruck that God would ever save any one of us. We are rebels. We deserve judgment. That God would consider saving us is beyond our imagining. That God would save us by his grace through faith is astounding. That God would save us by sending his own Son to be the sacrificial substitute who paid our penalty in our place, that is mind-blowing.
As you and I consider the questions that our hearts bring up, let us take thought. As we consider the questions that the world asks around us, let us be careful. Let us be sure that we are asking the right question. We do not have the ability or the right to sit in judgment over God or his ways. We should instead look at creation, see the majesty of God, and ask God the simple question, “How could you consider me?” Let this lead us to wonder and worship.
Pastor Travis Peterson 