How do we ask "how"?

"It is hardly ever the 'what'.

It is almost always the 'how' that makes the difference."

Clora Ann Crum had a mentor during the years she worked as a school principal. He would often repeat this phrase to her when she was facing a problem. There are always issues that must be confronted. But how we confront those issues can make all the difference in the world in how our words are received. 

Our wise and insightful ladies' Bible study partner, Clora Ann, brought up this quote in the context of this week's study, in Malachi 3:6-8:

"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says, the Lord of hosts. But you say, 'How shall we return?' Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions." (English Standard Version)

The question of the day was, "How do we ask 'how' to God?"

When the Israelites of Malachi's day asked "how", it was in a disrespectful way, like a clueless "so-called" romantic partner who can't understand why your feelings are hurt when they forget your birthday--three years in a row!

In poetic and prophetic imagery, God had married the nation of Israel. He was their devoted, faithful, gift-giving husband and they were his unappreciative wife with the wandering eye and the critical spirit. The gifts he gave weren't their style, or didn't look like the gifts their neighbors had. They used the gifts he gave, but they sulked and pouted and complained about them. 

And, when it was time to give their husband, God, gifts on his special occasions, they had every excuse in the book why the checkbook was overdrawn, the kids needed the money for new sandals, or they'd have more to give if he would give them more in the first place!

It was the classic case of a super nice guy marrying a woman who does not deserve him.  It breaks your heart to watch a romance like this. And it makes you want to wring the neck of the complaining, undeserving wife! (Watch the movie, "Spanglish" for a great example of this!)

It's like God was saying, "I made sure you had a bouquet of fresh flowers and breakfast in bed and gifts from the whole family on your birthday and you didn't even remember to wish me 'Happy Birthday' on my day."

This was the context of the question "how" from the Israelites. It was not nice. It was mean and rude and thoughtless.

There is a different way to ask "how". Clora Ann pointed out that we can ask God, "How can I obey you? How can I do this impossible task you have given me?" 

That's a different kind of "how". That's the kind that tells God, "I take you seriously. I respect your ideas and your opinions. And, I need your help!"

It's all in knowing how to ask "how"! Thanks, Clora Ann!

--Posted by Mama O.