This week for our daily devotions, we are going to reflect on some of the questions posed in the book, "201 Great Questions." It is basically a book of conversation starters for small groups. So for our question today, I chose, question 154: “what are three questions you would most like to ask God?”

The first question I would like to ask is actually one that Job asks of God while he is talking with his friends in Job 7:17-21. Job says, “What are human beings, that you make so much of them, that you set your mind on them, visit them every morning, test them every moment? Will you not look away from me for a while, let me alone until I swallow my spittle? If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of humanity? Why have you made me your target? Why have I become a burden to you? Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For now I shall lie in the earth; you will seek me, but I shall not be." In other words, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?

Now, to be fair, God actually does answer this question in Job 38 by saying in essence, “because I created the universe, and that’s how I made it.” Or to put it in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s words, “ours is not to question why, ours it but to do and die.” But that is not a very satisfying answer to the question.

In verse 17, Job also hints at a second question I have, which is, “why does God pay attention to human beings anyway?” After all, God created the universe--billions and billions of stars and planets--and yet, God seems to take special delight in connecting with us. So what makes us so special?

Then again, maybe the grace in that question is knowing that we are special in God’s sight—even if we don’t know why we are special. Because even if we don’t know why as Job says, God makes so much of us, we can still share that same love that God has for us in our relationships with other human beings—whom God also loves just as much as God loves us.

Finally, for one lighthearted question, I would quote the Psalms and prophets when they say “How long, O Lord,” and add, “until the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl?” ...Will it be before Jesus’ second coming? Honestly, I’d just like to know.

So, what are three questions you would like to ask God? Think about that today, and if you want, leave them in the comment section below. But now, let’s pray.

Gracious God, we begin a new day and new week, and trust that no matter what happens, you are God, and you have set your mind on loving us. Help us to love others, and live in the mystery of your love and grace made visible in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.