Aimee  – December  2024 

I’ve noticed that often, when I’m seeking answers, God responds by asking me questions and His questions always challenge me. They never condemn me but work to invite me to pause and explore with Him the reality of where I am at.

It’s in these moments, where my doubt or fear is replaced by truth, my heart realigns with His purposes. Hope is no longer tethered to circumstances but anchored in His unchanging character and promises, and my faith finds its footing once again.

In scripture, we see this played out over and over, too. God rarely tries to prove His point by engaging in a convincing argument, rather, He teaches through questions – exposing the flaws in the thinking and understanding of the people gathered and challenging their beliefs. Often His questions reveal a lack of faith in those who likely thought they had it together or expose hidden motive and shines light on the root of fears, doubts, and the lies held as truth. His questions cut to the heart and provide a path for realignment, back to His heart.

Take Adam and Eve in the Garden
He asks, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
God doesn’t immediately address their sin or fear of being exposed. Instead, He draws them out of hiding, inviting them into conversation and reconnection with Him; this question addresses their physical and spiritual positions. “Who told you you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11) addresses whose voice they are listening to. The question gently exposes their shame and the lie that they could find life outside of God and creates a pathway for restoration to relationship.

And then there’s Moses at the Burning bush. God asks, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11)
When Moses doubts his speaking ability, God doesn’t coddle his fear or stroke his ego. Instead, He asks questions that reframe Moses’ perspective, shifting his focus from his inadequacy to God’s sufficiency. Again, the question addresses the posture of the person and where they are seated. In the moment Moses had met Gods request with fear and insecurity, yet God’s question shifted that. Truth shut down the lies he was believing and allowed him to step into the call on his life.

Or Elijah in the cave – God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9, 13)
After Elijah flees in fear and despair, God doesn’t immediately reassure him of safety. God isn’t in the business of applying Band-Aids or superficial comforts. Instead, He asks a question that forces Elijah to confront his situation, isolation, and sense of failure. The questioning again allows Elijah to remove fear from the throne of his life and place God back on it.

We see this again with Jesus and the Disciples in the Storm. He asks –
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
Jesus’ response doesn’t promise safety from the Storm; instead, He challenges their fear and invites them to trust His power and presence. There is no convincing here – He doesn’t so much as validate their very real emotions but gently challenges them about whether or not they truly believe what they profess to believe.

With the Rich Young Ruler- He asks, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18)
Jesus’ question unravels the young man’s superficial understanding of goodness and points him to a deeper truth about the nature of God and his own heart.

Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb – Jesus asks, “Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” (John 20:15)
Even in her grief, Jesus doesn’t immediately reveal Himself. We see Him unrushed and provoking a curiosity in her rather than moving straight to revelation. He asks questions that lead Mary to uncover the truth about her fears and the reality of His resurrection.

The Father knows that His questions can create in us a curiosity to discover and uncover deeper truths about Him but also about ourselves that once understood initiate a response in us that is deeper and more lasting than a superficial conversation where we are told all we need to do or think. Questions cause us to think for ourselves, process, and look deeper, often from a perspective we have perhaps not considered before. As humans, we have a default to being reactionary to circumstance as a first response, but God’s questions can cause us to learn to pause and reflect to lean in and pay closer attention. We become hungry for truth, not appeasement, and this births change and deepens our faith.
It also serves to invite us into a two-way conversation. It is always about engaging in a relationship, Father and child, not slave and master. Questions are never about providing God with answers. He already knows the truth of the matter, but about leading us to recognise our faulty thinking. They help us acknowledge where we’ve placed our trust in lies, fears, or our own strength rather than in Him.

His questions reveal His nature. Through His questions, God shifts our gaze from our circumstances to His character. He invites us to truly see and know Him as the source of truth, love, and power.
When God questions us, He’s not dismissing our struggles but dismantling the barriers that keep us from fully trusting Him.

In a world that likes to tell us what to think and to overwhelm us with information, God’s approach is vastly different. He leans in low, walks beside us and gently poses the questions that serve to unravel the lies we cling to. When we pause and allow His questions to search us, we find our hope, faith, and love restored—not through convincing words, but through the clarity of His truth. His heart revealed in fullness to us.

Here are some questions to pause with today;

What are you afraid of? “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

If you worry about provision, He asks, “Why do you worry about clothes?” (Matthew 6:28).

If you feel abandoned, He asks, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast? Though she may forget, I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15).

If you doubt His presence, He asks, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Friend, may your prayer echo mine today and the psalmist’s:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24)
Father, would You search our hearts and lives as this year draws to its conclusion? Would You question and bring to light any anxious ways in us? Any spaces in our days that are led by the wrong voice or lived out of the wrong position or perspective.

Father, would You illuminate all manner of flaw or fear in us and create in us a clean hearts Lord that live to trust You in all seasons and circumstances.
We love You, Lord,
Amen.

Be blessed,

Aimee

Bold Existence Team