Praise & Pray

In the Old Testament, God told His people that they had wearied Him. They were confused by the statement. 'Weary' isn't a word one associates with the Lord because the weary are those who are tired and fatigued. So how then can God, the all-powerful and mighty, be wearied?

And yet the Bible provides the reason in Malachi 2:17 - You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” God was wearied because the people who should have known Him the best believed that He favored the wicked instead of the righteous. Their lack of understanding of who He is and what He does was draining to Him.

On some level, this is understandable. How many of us have been misunderstood by others? How tiring is it having to go against the lies about you? Many of us choose to let others live with their false notions of who we are and what we've done, rather than constantly having to defend ourselves to strangers. Or even worse, to people who should know better but choose to believe the worst about us instead. Thank God He didn't automatically give up on His people because of their failures back then. Thank God He doesn't give up on us because of our worldly perspectives and sins today. Where would we be if He got upset and turned away from us? What would we do if He weren't merciful?

Many of us, self-professing Christians, believe the lie that God favors the wicked and is unjust. For instance, we've seen those we deem wicked get away with ungodly things, and it's easy to believe the popularly held misconception that there is no justice in this world. However, just because we don't always see something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

And how do our lives show that we believe this lie? In different ways. For instance, we don't think there can be justice unless we take matters into our own hands. And so we seek revenge upon those who wrong us or others. We are even willing to lie to ensure another person suffers because we want them punished at all costs. Has this ever been you?

Or maybe we think God has been unfair to us. We look at our lives and think we should be on par with our peers. We forget that God's plan and timing for us is different from His plan for others. We also ignore the possibility that our peers present well-packaged fantasies that don't reflect their reality. They may be faking it till they make it, yet here we are discontent and complaining about God, who is dutifully preparing us for 'the more' He has in store. Have you done this before?

We may also have said God is unkind when discussing our struggles with others, and thereby blaspheme and slander Him. The Bible states that God is not unjust in several places and repeatedly reveals His loving kindness. Even in our lives, we have seen Him be good to us and others, pull down Jericho Walls on our behalf, and work miracles. Yet, when the pressure builds and we start grumbling, we become angry, and by our own lips, declare He is not all He has previously proven Himself to be. Making it easier to believe satan's lies about Him.

These are some of the ways that we, like those Israelites of old, have wearied and still weary the Lord. So ask yourself, do you think He is unjust? Do you believe He favors the wicked? Please remember Psalm 7:11 - God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day. Yes, each and every day, the wicked are punished and drink from God's cup of wrath. Their pretense to the public does not mean God's word is untrue. Live by what Jesus taught in the Bible, walk in the fear of the Lord, and submit to God's Holy Spirit. You will see the faithfulness of God and know beyond a doubt that He is the God of justice.

And if you have questioned whether God is just, just know that there is grace. Repent and remind yourself of what He's done for you. Think back to a testimony from somebody where God showed Himself as just. Consider the biblical instances where He stands as the God of justice. What happened to Sennacherib is a great example, as is how God vindicated Hannah, Esther, Mordechai, David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus, and many more. God has a track record of being more than good. He is the Avenger who silences your accuser. If you don't believe this, ask Him to show you. Because when this happens, you will no longer be among those who weary Him.

Finally, in your quest to see God's justice meted out, remember that it is only because of His kindness and patience that you have not come under His wrath. After all, you are a sinner who has fallen short of His glory, so be grateful. Hence, respect His choice to show others grace as well. Nobody deserves grace, that is why it is such an incredible gift. Please don't be like Jonah, who was angered because God showed mercy to His people's enemies when they repented. God is just, but He is also merciful and compassionate. We can't expect one aspect of Him without accepting the others. God bless you!

As you wait for fellowship at 12 Noon EST, consider reading the following previous P&P messages:

1. God, the Avenger

2. God Saves

3. Are you paying attention?

4. God's Cup of Wrath

5. The Sin of Disbelief

6. The Lesson in Repeated Patterns

7. God Is Waiting On You

8. Don't Speak Arrogantly About God

9. Is God Unfair?

10. Don't Reject God's Process With Grumbling

11. P&P 500: Be Steady In The Face Of Pressure

12. Pray, Don't Rant

13. Topic: The Wicked/Evil