Questioning God Amidst Tragedy

Did you know that Elijah questioned God?

Elijah was a prophet in Israel after the kingdom had already split and king after king was leading God’s people away from Him.

During a time of drought, God sends Elijah to live with a widow and her son. And God miraculously shows up by making the little bit of flour and oil that she has multiply each day so they have enough to eat.

This woman has already lost her husband. We don’t know how, but we know she is on her own, fending for herself and her son during a time of little food and water.

Any mamas out there who can relate to her?

And so God shows up faithfully each morning and they are blessed with the gift of food.

But then, somehow, the son gets sick. He was sick for awhile. “He grew worse and worse, and finally he died” (1 Kings 17:17).

At first, you might think this is an older mom and her almost-adult son. At least, that’s where my mind can go when I think about widows. But no, the son is little enough, he is young enough, that both the mom and Elijah can pick him up.

The mom is understandably beside herself with grief and anger. “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” (1 Kings 17:18).

But Elijah, too, is grieved. Perhaps he had gotten to know this child well during his stay at their house.

He carries the boy upstairs to his room and he cries out to God, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” (1 Kings 17:20).

Elijah–this great prophet of God, this great man of faith–shows me that it’s okay to ask God questions during times of tragedy and heartache. 

Whatever burden is weighing on your soul today… know that you are not alone. God can handle your questions, and He is right there with you through it all.

3