Two Ways We Frustrate God

Scripture:
You have wearied the Lord with your words;
Yet you say,
“In what way have we wearied Him?”
In that you say,
“Everyone who does evil
Is good in the sight of the Lord,
And He delights in them,”
Or, “Where is the God of justice?”
Malachi 2:17

Observation: As the Lord presents information about how people of wearied him, he gives this example of how our words frustrate him. In some cases, we misunderstand good and evil, and actually declare evil as good. We think people who do evil and succeed are somehow therefore blessed by God and thus he is rewarding them. In other cases, we properly interpret evil, but then question God's actions toward such people. We wonder why such people succeed, and question God's justice in the world.

In other words, when it comes to understanding good and evil, right and wrong, obedience and disobedience, God expects us to have two proper attitudes. The first is knowledge and wisdom. We are to know what is right and what is wrong in the eyes of the Lord, based on his words and teaching. We are also to be wise enough to know there is no relationship between earthly 'success' and heavenly rewards, and thus the appearance of success on earth is not evidence of delight from God.

Second, we are be humble toward others. In humility, we are to understanding that judgement is not ours to pass on others, and justice is not ours to wield. We are sinners ourselves, and unworthy to judge. Thus, when we recognize wrongdoing, we are not to wonder about God's attitude, actions, or approach toward correcting or punishing anyone. The Lord is fully just, and fully merciful, and fully loving. In this way, we must never second-guess his interaction with others.

Application: I am certain I have erred in the former area in my life ... not knowing God's word well enough to correctly know good and evil, and thus suspecting that anything 'blessed' must indicate goodness. I am also certain that today I err in the latter area ... often wondering why the Lord does not properly judge and punish those in open rebellion against him, his son, and his teaching.

In all of this, it is I who wearies the Lord with my words, and wonder how that can be true. Like a young child, I exhaust him with my lack of understanding and obedience, my unruly behavior and constant questioning.

I fail to remember the lessons of Job and Proverbs. I fail to apply the case studies of Exodus, Numbers, and Judges. I lean on my own understanding, and question God's ways. Thanks be to the Lord that he is also very, very patient.

Prayer: Lord, I know I have worn you out with my ways, thoughts, words, and deeds. I often don't act in alignment with what I know to be right, and sometimes I don't even know what is truly right in your eyes. Thank you for your love, and for forgiveness and salvation through faith in Jesus. I cannot be good, and I cannot fully understand you, limited as I am as a person. However, I can fully believe in Jesus, and I do. Amen.