CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
October 13, 2024
WHY?
Psalm 86:1-11
How often over the years have you asked in one way or another the
question, why? For those of you who are parents, it has been said that
the most often thing kids say is, “Why?” Depending on the question
sometimes we can give an answer that may end the questioning, but at
other times the answer may simply lead to another question of why.
As Christians it isn’t wrong to ask our Heavenly Father the question,
why? The verses we looked at this morning in Psalms is King David both
asking the question why and also saying to God, “I know you can help
me understand. Please help me understand why.”
Throughout the Old Testament are stories of people who had to be
asking God why. Adam and Eve shouldn’t have asked God the question
why, but I bet they did when they got in trouble in the Garden of Eden.
Moses asked God, why me? Abraham and Sarah asked, “Why haven’t
we been able to have the children you promised?” Joseph was sold to
those in a caravan by his brothers for simply being honest. I am sure he
asked God why. Of course, God eventually gave Joseph his answer.
Think of Daniel, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they got in
trouble for being faithful to God. “Why God?” Job’s incredible story,
Esther who was asking God, why me? We could go on and on from the
Old Testament.
Then there was Lazarus’ sister who cried out to Jesus, “Why? If only you
had been here earlier?” On this occasion Jesus answered their prayers
in a powerful way. After Jesus ascended back to the Father before it
was all said and done, all of his disciples (apostles) were killed for the
cause of Christ but one. Stephen faithfully understood the big picture. It
is not about now; it is about eternity. But there had to be questions by
both the apostles, as well as the church of why.
Part of the reason I am sharing this message today is because of the
storms that have hit the east over the past couple of weeks. I guarantee
you there are a lot of people asking the question, “Why? What have we
done to deserve this?”
I do not know how many of you watch TV shows that might have St.
Jude Children’s Hospital commercials on them, but there was one in the
past in which a mother of a young child is saying, “Why does this
happen? They haven’t done anything that should have caused this?”
I am pretty sure every single one of you has faced a situation in which
you felt you could honestly ask God the question, “Why?” Sometimes
we might be able to see things we did or didn’t do that brought those
things on when it is about you or me. If it is about someone else, we
need to be careful about coming up with reasons for their situation.
Sometimes we may honestly have to accept the fact we may never
know why things happen as they do. By the strength of the Holy Spirit,
we can remain faithful in spite of the times in our lives we do not
understand why.
David was both admitting to God he did not understand why things
were happening as they were and asking for God’s mercy and grace to
see him through. In Psalm 86:12-13 David says this, “I will praise you, O
Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For
great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths
of the grave.” While he may not have understood all that was
happening, he knew God loved him and would deliver him.
So, while we may daily be asking God the question why, God wants us
to stay strong knowing he loves us and will deliver us in his timing in his
way.
To close this morning, I want to pay a song (Faithfully) for you by a
Christian artist named Toby Mac. It has been over a year ago now that
he faced one of the most difficult things a parent can ever face: the loss
of a child. Any loss of a child is difficult, but this loss was especially hard
for this man who had dedicated his life to reaching out to youth with
the message of Christ. Toby’s songs have always been about God’s love,
mercy and grace, how we are loved by God. What made this loss even
more difficult was that his son committed suicide. Eventually God led
him to write a song about his journey. This song is an honest look at
where he has been since the loss of his son and where God is leading
him.
As we pray for the victims of the hurricanes and as you are looking at
different situations you have, or are you asking God why about today, I
pray this song will be used by God to build your strength and give you
the courage to not lose heart and never turn from God no matter what.
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
Sunday School 9:00
Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study
Wednesday, October 24 12:00 Women's Lunch--meal provided
--College care packages will be assembled in early November.
Please have snacks at church by November 3. (6 or 7 students)
--Issues of The Daily Bread are available. Please take one.
--November/December newsletter deadline: October 30
Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362
Donation Box for September: utilities
First Sundays: Food Bank donations
Keep in Your Prayers
Shirley Krall; Bobby’s father; Alan Baker; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea
Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler;
Nancy Fansler; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver;
Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; Shirley Clarkson;
David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Mike and Carol
Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver;
many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural
disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church;
those in the middle of war and violence; military and other
services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers;
Disaster project workers; victims of Helene and Milton
District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Neighborhood (Boulder
Hill) congregation and for the work of the Brethren Historical
Library and Archives in Elgin.
