📖 "I don't know" is a good answer

I. “I don’t know” is a perfectly acceptable response to a hard question you or anyone may have about God.

For example, I don’t know why God allows certain evils in the world. I don’t know why God won’t answer a very good and godly prayer request. I don’t know why God doesn’t make his presence more obvious.

But just because I don’t know why, doesn’t mean there can’t be a very good answer.

Young children don’t understand why they can’t eat cookies for breakfast every day, either, and yet there are very good reasons they cannot yet comprehend.

This doesn’t make it easy to wrestle with our doubts and questions. But it does mean that just because we can’t conceive of an answer, it doesn’t automatically mean there can’t be one.

If God does exist and knows everything, he could do and allow certain things that our extremely limited experiences and understandings do not currently comprehend

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II. The way of Jesus is unfair.

It is “unfair” to forgive someone who does not deserve it (and may not even ask). It is “unfair” to be kind and generous to someone who is unkind to you or cannot pay you back.

It is “unfair” to respond to an insult with grace instead of retaliation. It is “unfair” to love someone who considers you an enemy.

And yet, this is what Jesus has done for us.

While we were still sinners, while we were enemies of God, Jesus died for us.

Jesus treats us unfairly in that he gives us something we do not deserve and could never earn or repay.

And when we follow Jesus, we are called to do the same for others.

The way of Jesus is unfair.

The “Ten Commandments” are actually called the “Ten Words” in the Book of Exodus.

The Hebrew phrase is “aseret ha-devarim,” which literally means “ten words,” not “ten commandments.”

The name “commandments” comes from later tradition, since many of the statements are commands, but that’s not the term the text itself uses.

“Ten Words” is significant because it reminds us these aren’t just rules to avoid punishment or things we should do “or else,” but God’s words showing his people how to experience life as he intended.

When you follow the “Ten Words,” their wisdom leads to life.

This week’s question comes from Yasmine. She asks about how to kill an idol in your life.

Have a Bible question, or a situation in your life you want a biblical perspective on? Submit it here to be answered in a future Bible Made Simple Newsletter edition.

Midnight On The Potomac by Scott Ellsworth

A book focusing primarily on the last year of the Civil War.

An enjoyable and informative read. The author did a good job of keeping you engaged, as well as not confused, by the various people and stories the book was tracing.

I learned some things as well, like for instance, that John Wilkes Booth was actually a very famous actor in his day and not what we often picture him as.

I would have liked a little bit more on the few months post Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, as well as the 12 days Booth was on the run, but maybe that was just personal preference.

One thing I didn't love was how frequently each chapter started with some backstory of a person, but the name of the person, or what side of the conflict they were on, wasn't revealed right away.

That's good to build tension and intrigue, but it happened too frequently where I just thought, "just tell me on the front end who this is about."

Overall, I did like the book and think it is worth the read.

7.5/10

P.S. One way to avoid getting robbed…