The Answer to “Why” is “Who”
My husband recently lost his job. This is the first time he’s been unemployed since he was in his teens, other than a 2 week search for a job after he graduated from college. Nearly 40 years later he was abruptly let go. For the past month we’ve felt the shock and anger over the circumstances and the way he was maligned. I’ve cried, and asked “Why, Lord?” more often than I care to admit. And then He put it all into perspective for me.
I recently heard Naghmeh Abedini. Her husband, Saeed Abedini, is an Iranian-American pastor is currently being in prison in Iran for his faith in Christ since September, 2012. He’s separated from his wife and children in the US, being beaten and tortured for his faith. And all the while he continues to share the Gospel with other prisoners. His parents still live in Iran and are on occasion able to visit him. He knew his little girl was getting ready to celebrate her birthday, and struggling with why God still isn’t answering her prayers and the prayers of others around the world that are praying for his release. The last birthday she celebrated with her Daddy was when she turned 5 at Disney World. The following is his letter answering her question.
My dearest Rebekah Grace, happy eighth birthday.
You’re growing so fast and becoming more beautiful every day. I praise God for His faithfulness to me every day as I watch from a distance through the prison walls and see pictures and hear stories of how you’re growing both spiritually and physically.
Oh, how I long to see you! I know that the question is why you have prayed so many times for my return, and yet I’m not home yet. Now, there’s a big “why” in your mind. You’re asking why Jesus isn’t answering your prayers and the prayers of all the people around the world praying for my release and for me to be home with you and our family.
The answer to the “why” is “Who.” Who is in control? The Lord Jesus Christ is in control. I desire for you to learn important lessons during these trying times, lessons that you carry now for the rest of your life. The answer to the “why” is “Who.” The confusion of “why has all of this happened,” and why your prayers are not answered is resolved with understanding Who is in control—the Lord Jesus Christ, our God.
God is in control of that whole world and everything that is happening in it, for His good purpose, for His glory, and will be worked out for our good (Romans 8:28). Jesus allows me to be kept here for His glory. He’s doing something inside each of us and also outside in the world.
People die and suffer for their Christian faith all over the world, and some may wonder why, but you should know the answer to why is Who. It is for Jesus. He’s worth the price. He has a plan to be glorified through our lives.
I want you to read the book of Habakkuk. He had the same questions as you, but see how the Lord answers him in Habakkuk 2:3: “The vision comes and doesn’t delay. It’s on time. Wait for it.”
Mommy and I always had big desires to serve Jesus and had great visions to be used for His kingdom and His glory. So, today we pay a cost because God Who created us called us to that.
So, I want you to know that the answer to all your prayers is that God is in control. He knows better than us what He is doing in our lives and all around the world.
Therefore, declare as Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did in Daniel 3:17–18: “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace. He will deliver us from your hand, O King. But, if not, let it be known to you, O King, that we do not serve your God, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Learn and declare as Habakkuk did that, even if we do not get the result that we’re looking for, God is still good and we will praise His holy Name.
Habakkuk 3:17–19: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on high hills.”
Then, my dear beloved daughter Rebekka Grace, I pray God will bring me back home soon, but if not we still sing together, as Habakkuk did, “Hallelujah!”—either separated by prison walls or together at home. So let Daddy hear you sing a loud “Hallelujah,” that I can hear all the way here in the prison.
I’m so proud of you my sweet, courageous daughter.
Glory to God forever. Amen.
Kisses and blessings, Daddy.
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I have nothing to complain about.
Won’t you join me in praying for Pastor Saeed’s release if it be His will?
Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Marsha. Joining you in prayer for this family.
Thank you for sharing this precious letter, Marsha. You are right; we have nothing to complain about. May my faith be as steadfast as that of Pastor Saeed.