…who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? – Romans 9.20, CSB
Do we believe that God is in charge? Do we believe that because of who God is, he has the right to do whatever he wants? Or do we believe that, in some small way, he has to answer to us for his actions and decisions? It’s imperative to remember that God is not the CEO of a company that we are board members or shareholders of. He does not need to answer for his actions or explain himself to us. God has the right to do whatever he wants to do. His kingdom is a theocracy.
I know that for some, this may not seem right due to concerns about abuse of power. However, that’s how we view things from our perspective, due to the abuses of power we have witnessed or experienced. No human being can have complete authority without anyone to answer to because we are sinners. We can’t be trusted with that. And, in reality, any power or authority we think we have has been granted to us by God who is all-powerful. But God? He is perfect. He is the standard of what is good, true, and right. He has no limits. He has no break in character. He has no lapse in judgment. He is the standard of perfection, a standard that our finite minds can never fully comprehend. Paul reminds us, “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid?” (Romans 11.34-35, CSB). The obvious answer is no one. No one can claim any authority in this area of knowing God’s mind or lending him something that leaves God in debt to us.
But let me ask this question as well while we’re on the topic.
Why would we want God to answer to us since we can never know better than he does?
We are limited by our experiences and perspectives. We are limited in our abilities, both physically and mentally. We are limited in resources and understanding. So why would we want God, who is omni* in everything, to then answer to us, the limited? I ask this not as if God will succumb to our wishes. He won’t. But I ask, why would we want to settle for our limited perspectives instead of trusting our Heavenly Father, who has no limits in anything? And therein lies the key to all of this.
Trust.
I am not offended by God not having to answer to me. I am not worried in the least about him having and wielding all power and authority. In fact, knowing that God has all power is what brings me peace. I can trust him because I know that he is sovereign and trustworthy. I can release my worries and concerns to him because he cares for me. I can submit to his will because he knows. He knows everything and everyone. He knows what he’s doing. So, while I have no right to question God at being God, I don’t want to anymore. At least I don’t want to want to anymore. Of course, I can ask God questions all day long with a desire to know him more. I can come before him with shouts of praise and adoration. I can ask questions simply from a place of curiosity. I can even ask questions that come from places of fear, frustration, and hurt (read the Psalms, and you’ll see this freedom before the Lord). I can be raw and honest before him, but that’s only because he has graciously allowed me to do so. I don’t have the right to do this, but it’s his gift to me as I learn to walk with him and abide in Jesus. I have no right to do anything with the Lord, but it’s a result of his grace.
Who am I to talk back to God? I’m no one. And I have no right to do so. I don’t want to talk back to God. At times, in those moments of fear, I say things that I know aren’t right. Praise God for his grace. But I don’t want to say those things. Instead, I want to be still and know he’s God (Psalm 46.10). I’m learning to trust him as he continues to reveal himself more and more. I’m learning to walk humbly with my God (Micah 6.8), trusting his omni in everything. I’m learning. And praise God that my Teacher is so patient with me along the way.
* The word “omni” originates from Latin and means “all” or “every.” It’s often used as a prefix in English to convey a sense of completeness.
Brian J Holland 
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