Devotional: Malachi 2:17-3:5

Reflection

• (Mal 2:17 ESV) 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?”

Discussion

What is the difference between a golf course and a landfill? Use.  One is made nice, clean, and attractive.  The other is made for collecting trash and storing it forever.

 

You have probably heard the phrase, “I am special because God doesn’t make junk.”  A half truth, maybe?  It is true that God does not make junk in the sense of something without purpose that should be thrown out.  In fact, God created everything in the universe with a purpose:  to bring Him glory.  You and I are included in that.  What follows is our use of what God has given.  Have you made your life a golf course or a landfill?  The raw material is the same, the difference is the use of them.

 

See, we are all created by the same God, we are all supposed to live lives honoring Him, we are all to bring glory to His name.  Sometimes, however, we miss that mark.  We weary God.  Adding to that we call out the trouble of others instead of focusing on making our own lives right.  Essentially we deny the holiness of God and call into question His absolute sovereignty.  

 

God is perfectly holy, perfectly just, and entirely in control of His world.  Make that a very real thought in your mind this week.

Connection

What is something in the world that makes you question whether or not God is in control?

 

How can you seek to re-frame that scenario to see the bigger picture of God’s absolute sovereignty?

 

How can you help others to do the same?

 

Expansion

The Father

God the Father has eternally existed in the past and will eternally exist forever in the future.  He alone is the sovereign creator and supreme ruler of everything.  He is unchanging, omnipresent,  omnipotent, omniscient and entirely holy in every capacity.

Genesis 1:1, Exodus 3:14, Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 40:28, Romans 11:36, Malachi 3:6-7, James 1:17-18, 1 Kings 8:27, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:18-20, Job 9:19, Revelation 19:6, Luke 1:37, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 40:13-14, Psalm 147:5, 1 Timothy 1:17, Jude 1:25, Romans 11:33-34, Romans 16:27, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8, Psalm 111:9