Questioning Tactics

Tuesday afternoon's World Cup semifinal delivered the matchup soccer fans had been anticipating for months.

Spain and France, long perceived as the two favorites to hoist this year's cup, took to the pitch to square off in what many expected to be an epic clash between soccer giants.

The result, however, was far less dramatic than anticipated.

The Spaniards controlled the action from the outset, clinically dissecting their French counterparts on their way to a 2-0 victory and a shot at the country's second World Cup since the turn of the century.

In many respects, the biggest takeaway from the match was not simply that Spain found a way to win, but that the Spanish side dominated a powerhouse French side with such ease. 

The blame for France's poor showing can certainly be spread across a plethora of individuals.

"Les Bleus," as the team is affectionately known, were plagued by poor defending, a lack of crispness and continuity with their passes, and poor finishing in the final third.  

But after the match, French superstar Kylian Mbappé strongly implied that at least some of the blame for his side's poor performance lay at the feet of manager Didier Deschamps for questionable tactical choices. 

Mbappé commented, "We were three against two in midfield, and against Spain, that's hard. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us." 

Mbappé also had plenty to say about the sloppiness he and his teammates exhibited on Tuesday afternoon, making it clear that he isn't placing the blame solely on his manager or his tactics.

At the same time, Mbappé continues to question his manager's tactics and decisions. It seems the superstar believes things might have turned out better for his country had the man in charge chosen to do things differently.

But before we’re tempted to criticize Mbappé for questioning his manager's tactics, how often are we guilty of taking the same approach in our relationship with God?

When things in our lives don’t go the way we desire, are we tempted to question God's "tactics"? Do we arrogantly begin to think that things would have gone better for us if God had orchestrated events differently?

As followers of Jesus, we must always remember that, if we love God and are called according to His purpose, all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). 

Yet, because we’re limited in our understanding and perspective, we might not immediately comprehend how that working of good is taking place. 

While it's totally fine and acceptable for us not to fully comprehend all that God is doing in our lives, it's not okay when that lack of understanding leads us to question how He does things by blaming and complaining.

In Isaiah 45:7 (ESV), the Lord gives a powerful reminder that He’s completely sovereign over all affairs on the earth: "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."

Right after stating His comprehensive expression of providence over all of creation, the Lord gives this warning just two verses later: "Woe to him who strives with Him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to Him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'?" (Isaiah 45:9; ESV).

In other words, woe to the person who questions how God does things.

Though it might initially seem that questioning how God operates isn’t a big deal, it becomes very serious when we pause to consider what we’re really doing. 

When we question God in that manner, we’re impugning His character. In essence, we’re saying that He either made a poor decision because He isn’t all-wise, an unrighteous decision because He isn’t all-good, or an inconsiderate decision because He isn’t all-loving.

A prime example of this attitude being rebuked in Scripture is the story of Job. When Job begins to grumble and question God's dealings in his suffering, the Lord responds in a way that undoubtedly makes Job tremble in fear.

Job 38:1-4 (NIV) states, "Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 'Who is this that obscures My plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell Me, if you understand.'"

In a moment of human sinfulness, Job began to think he knew better than God. The Lord's strong response was a powerful reminder that only God is all-powerful and all-wise.

When things aren’t going the way we had hoped, we must be intentional to remember that God has all knowledge and we don’t.

Everything that He does He does for the good of His people. It may not make sense to us, but it fits perfectly together in His master plan. It’s not our job to question, but to humbly trust. 

Today, let's remember who we are and who God is. The One who runs the universe is on the side of His people, and we can trust Him completely always to do that which is good and right.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have sinfully questioned the way that You do things. I know that You are good, wise, and loving, and that You only work for the good of those who love You. Please help me to trust You and to humble myself to receive the lot You give me in life. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.