So I do not ask why — Testimony of Rev Samuel Shaw

My wife and I recently completed our in-depth study of the book of Job. In our study, we reflected upon Job’s sudden predicament and everything that followed. Though the bulk of the book is made up of Job’s his conversations with his friends, the highlight of the book is rooted in what God has to say about Himself.

Though God only spoke for a mere 4 chapters (chapter 38 to 41), those short chapters were sufficient to make Job “see” God (See Job 42:5). In God’s monologue, God asked a series of rhetorical questions that displays God’s sovereignty over all aspects of the natural world. His questions can be grouped into a few categories including:

Creation (Job 38:4-21),
Weather (Job 38:22-38),
Animal kingdom (Job 38:39-39:30),
God’s justice (Job 40:8-14), and
God’s two greatest created animal (Job 40:15-41:34).

God doesn’t respond to Job regarding his predicament nor his questions. The questions God asked were aimed at reminding Job regarding who He is through His creation and His character. We see that God’s message was received through Job’s humble response (See Job 40:4-5, 42:4-6). Even though, by the end of the book, Job still did not have any answers to his sufferings, Job had a renewed understanding of God. It is that understanding of God that was sufficient for Job.

The theme of “seeing” God for who He truly is is scattered across the Bible. From how prophetic visions of God (See Isaiah 6:1, Daniel 7:9-10, Revelations 4:2-11) transform the prophet’s walk with God, to having a divine knowledge of God (See Isaiah 6:9-11, John 14:9, 1 John 2:4-6) that only God Himself can reveal (See John 6:44-45, 65), we see that true worship and devotion to God can only come from our true acknowledgement for the Person of God.

“Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
(‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

I chanced upon a Chinese song titled “So I do not ask why”, published by Banner Music and was immediately struck by it. The song begins by reflecting on the writer’s knowledge of God. He reflected on God’s endless love, God’s kindness, how God’s love will never fail, and God’s sovereignty over all things. Because of this knowledge, the writer resigned to not ask the question why. In the chorus, he reasons that even though there are moments of sadness, when the weight of life is too heavy to bear, he will “not ask why”. Because God sits on the Throne, he will not ask the question — why.

I dug a little deeper into this song and found a sermon that was aired on a Taiwanese gospel channel called “Good TV”. In this sermon, Rev Andrew Kou (寇紹恩牧師) shared about the story of this song. (Video below).

A photo of Rev Samuel Shaw taken at his memorial service.

This song was written by Taichung Banner Church, Taiwan, in response to the life and testimony of Rev Samuel Shaw (瀟湘修牧師). Rev Samuel was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer at the prime of his ministry. When he received the diagnosis, he felt that God was with him. At the moment, he felt that the peace that transcended all understanding protecting him from fear. He shared his experience with his church in this message, “How to enjoy peace in the Heavenly Father’s Presence”. Video below.

This song deeply ministered to me as I reflected on the Book of Job and my personal walk with God. I consider how in my times of trials, I doubted God and tested Him. I didn’t recognise God for who He truly is. But this song and this testimony reminded of what truly mattered. It is my prayer that this song will be a blessing to you just as how it was to me.

歌名：所以我不問為什麼 (So I do not ask why)
詞/曲：台中旌旗教會 (Taichung Banner Church)
English Translation: Kua Music

I know You are endless Love
我认识的祢是无穷尽的慈爱
I know You are kind
我认识的祢是良善
I know You will never fail
我认识的祢是永远不会失败
I know You are the ruler of all things
我认识的祢是万物的主宰

So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Even if the flood drowns my sight
就算洪水把我的视线淹没
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Because You sit on the throne
因祢坐在宝座

So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Your righteousness and faithfulness never fail
祢的公义和信实从不落空
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
I live by faith
我凭信心而活

I know You are a gentle Abba Father
我认识的祢是温柔的阿爸父
I know You are rich
我认识的祢是丰富
I know You are never-ending grace
我认识的祢是恩典难以细数
I know You are an ever-present help in times of trouble
我认识的祢是随时的帮助

So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
There is still sadness and sad moments
还是会难过还有忧伤的时候
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Days are not always easy
日子不总是好过
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
The weight of life can sometimes be so hard to bear
生命的重有时会那么难承受
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Everything is in His hands
一切在祂手中

Sometimes, sometimes,
有时候总有时候
I wait for Your time
祢的时候我等候
Lead me in every footstep
牵引我每个脚踪
Like bright light until noon
如明光直到午后
Bitterness and pain are nothing
苦与痛又算什么
Your crown is reserved for me
祢冠冕为我存留
To achieve that
要成就极重极深
everlasting glory
永恒的荣耀

So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Even if the flood drowns my sight
就算洪水把我的视线淹没
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Because You sit on the throne
因祢坐在宝座
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
Your righteousness and faithfulness never fail
祢的公义和信实从不落空
So I do not ask why
所以我不问为什么
I live by faith
我凭信心而活

No matter what
不管怎么
I live for You
我为祢活

Sim Chen Xing

So I do not ask why — Testimony of Rev Samuel Shaw

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So I do not ask why — Testimony of Rev Samuel Shaw

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