Trying to Fool God
This has been a nice day to get work done. Debbie and I enjoyed our first morning coffee time on our patio. Then most of the day has been Debbie working inside the house and me working outside. I’m not able to get as much done in the time I have as I used to, but it is still good to be able to navigate around and do what I can for as long as I can.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…You have said, ‘It’s useless to serve God. What’s the use of doing what he says or of trying to show the Lord Almighty that we are sorry for what we have done? As we see it, proud people are the ones who are happy….” Malachi 3:14,15
Malachi is an interesting book of prophecy. The context itself does not give any history about Malachi or the historical setting or timing. It undoubtedly is before Israel and Judah were taken into exile, but during the reign of which king it is unknown from the text.
It is also interesting in that, much of the context is a back and forth, question and answer, statement and question between the Lord and the people. For example the book opens with this exchange: “The Lord says to his people, “I have always loved you.” But they reply, “How have you shown your love for us?” (Malachi 1:2,3)
In chapter three we read: “you ask, ‘What must we do to turn back to you?’ I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:7-8) Just before our “…verse for today” above, we see this exchange: “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘What have we said about you?’ (Malachi 3:13)
This type of dialogue reminds me of someone who is in trouble in and tries to keep avoiding the issue, misdirecting the conversation, making accusations, instead of “fesing up.” But
God’s people had begun to focus on the “world around them.” They looked at evil, the saw drought and storms. As a result they had grown weary of serving the Lord and had adopted a view of God from the idol worshipers of the day. They thought God could be fooled. They thought they could “go through the motions” and determine their own standards in worship to the Lord, and all would be well.
So, they brought sacrifices that were the worst, not the best. They brought the lame and the blind as an offering to the Lord. They allow marriage and family commitments to be disregarded. They did not tithe on their crops but determined whatever they gave in honor of the Lord should be good enough for Him. In all of their actions they showed contempt for the Lord and endeavored to make God their servant, instead of serving the Lord.
This all came about because people saw injustice, but did not feel that God was doing anything. They even concluded that “God must love evil doers.” They challenged God with the question, “Where is the God who is supposed to be just?” (Malachi 2:17) They failed to see that it was their disobedience and behavior that was at the root of their troubles and confusion. They were the problem, not God.
In the midst of this spiritual confusion, there were those who kept to God’s promises and did not compromise their faith. Of those committed to the Lord, God says, “On the day when I act, they will be my very own. I will be merciful to them as parents are merciful to the children who serve them. Once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not.” (Malachi 3:17,18)
God is not unaware of what is happening among His people. He is not deaf to their cries. Whether we like it or not; understand it or not, God is working out His plan and purposes for His people and the world. In the end the wicked will not continue to prosper and will face an accounting. Those who remain faithful to the Lord will be shown mercy and receive the reward of their faith.
In the closing verses of the book of Malachi, we see the Lord giving assurance of a “coming day.” A day when the wicked will be judged and the righteous rewarded. “The Lord Almighty says, “The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them. But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun’s rays.” (Malachi 4:1,2)
The questions and challenges to faith that God’s people faced in Malachi’s days are faced today. We see injustice and those who are wicked prosper. We see the godly struggle far beyond what we believe should be taking place. But it is important for us to not make hasty conclusions about our life or God’s faithfulness and character by what is seen in this temporary time and space we occupy. We are assured that the Lord is faithful and knows how to protect His own. That is why Peter toward the end of his life, hundreds of years after the day of Malachi reassured believers with the words, “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.” (2 Peter 2:9)
Patience, perseverance, faith, hope, obedience are the keys that should direct our lives. Remember, you can’t “fool God.” If you get in an accountability conversation with God…..just be quick to repent and find His forgiveness and mercy.