CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 825

“What is the profit?”

Malachi 3:13-15 (ESV)   “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’ ”

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Have you ever felt that sometimes life just does not seem fair?

Have you ever wondered why God allows evildoers to prosper while His children go without the pleasures of this world?

How do you express these feelings?  What do you say to God about it?  What do you say to others about God concerning this?

You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” – Malachi 2:17

God is not bothered by our questions or complaints.  He welcomes our heartfelt conversation with Him in prayer.  God is wearied however by the harsh words and grumbling we speak against Him or the false accusations we make about Him.

We falsely accuse God when we say that He is not fair.  People often question God’s goodness and love in light of the suffering that is rampant in this world.  ‘If God is love He would not allow the innocent children to die young.’  ‘If God is good He would not allow cancer, famine, and wars.’

We speak harsh words against God when we say He is unjust in light of the prosperity of the wicked that is seen.

For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. – Matthew 5:45

We have lost our eternal, long-term perspective and have adopted the shortsighted view of a false prosperity doctrine when we look primarily for rewards in this life.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ … – Phil 3:20

We are ‘off-target’ when we seek earthly gain through a religious experience.  We are ‘off-base’ when we speak harsh words against God because of life circumstances. We are ‘off-course’ when we seek first the prosperity and pleasures of this world and blame God when we do not have what others have.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19

May you have a personal relationship out of love with the ‘Giver’ and not seek primarily His Gifts through religion.  May you know His perfect peace and joy no matter the circumstances that surround you. May you hold steadfastly to your knowledge of the character of God – His unchanging character of goodness and love.