Those Rejecting and Claiming God's Love

Scripture:
But to the wicked God says:
"What right have you to declare My statutes,
Or take My covenant in your mouth,
Seeing you hate instruction
And cast My words behind you?"
Psalm 50:16-17

Observation: God addresses wicked people by directly questioning their right to ... agree with God's laws, statutes, and precepts. He sees that they reject his teaching, and yet also claim a right to that same teaching. As basic examples, this would be like someone who lies to others, then gets angry when they are lied to. It is likely this goes much deeper than this, extending to the promises of the law, like those who would seek to claim good blessings in their lives, while not just actively committing sin but even rejecting the idea that God's law is something to be obeyed.

Application: How many "non-believers" do I know who also go about with a personal mission to pursue justice and equity? How many do I know who declare that the world is full of oppression and they require that it be corrected for their benefit, while also actively declaring they are agnostic and enlightened beyond the need to believe in God?

I would go so far as to say there is a strange correlation between those who completely reject the Lord - his existence, his teaching, his moral law, and his promised salvation by faith - and also dedicate significant personal time and energy to causes like social justice and equity, and protesting against imbalances in economic and educational systems.

The Lord commands us to pursue justice and mercy. But he clearly also says ... what right have those who reject the Lord to pursue justice and mercy? That is not to say they do not deserve these things. All do, as all are loved by God. But there is certainly an anger that wells up in God when those who reject him also claim his kingdom values.

It is good for me to be reminded that this situation - unbelievers rejecting God's teaching while seeking the benefits of God's teaching - is so common, that the Lord himself was calling it out 3,000 years ago.

Prayer: Lord, may I pursue justice and mercy for everyone, this day and every day. I wish to love others as you love them. However, I also know you grow wearing of all manner of actions that reject you, and of those who both reject you but claim your goodness for their lives as well. This especially applies to our nation, in this age. Please forgive us as a people, and as a nation. We humbly seek your face. Not as wicked disbelievers, but as your faithful, we ask for your love upon us and our land. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.