God, this isn't fair!
If you're a believer, chances are you've asked this question in some form or fashion multiple times during your life: "God, why do the 'bad people' seem to get away with stuff and prosper in life while the 'good people' get trampled on and can never seem to get ahead?" The Israelites asked the same question of God, as is recorded in Malachi 3:13-15:
"You have spoken arrogantly against Me,” says the Lord.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against You?’
“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
Notice God's opening remark about these questions: "You have spoken arrogantly against Me." Despite the seemingly unfair circumstances, circumstances we all witness in life, the Israelites, their priests, their leaders, etc. all had their own sins they were guilty of as well. However, what you have in this situation is a common human response - 'God this isn't fair!' - or in other words, "God, I'm not doing THAT kind of bad stuff. I'm a believer, doesn't that count for something?"
God calls the Israelites out on their questioning of His fairness by pointing to the real issue - PRIDE. Pride says, "I'm not as bad as that guy..." Pride proclaims, "I'm a child of God, doesn't that mean something?" Pride assumes, "Well, I'm a child of God, so shouldn't I gain some kind of rewards or special blessings?" Is God really nothing more than a magic genie or Santa Clause figure to us?
When we ask the questions about fairness and if its really worth following the Lord, and we all have, its important to realize where this comes from - it comes from a prideful heart.
Dear reader, the next time you're tempted to question God's fairness, repent and continue living for Him. He promises all those who are His children, "For behold, the day is coming...[when] all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble...but to you who fear My name, the [Messiah] shall arise with healing in His wings." (Malachi 4:1-2).
Take heart, Jesus has indeed "overcome the world." We will have trouble in this life, but we aren't living for this life, we look toward and hope in the next. (John 16:33)
"You have spoken arrogantly against Me,” says the Lord.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against You?’
“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
Notice God's opening remark about these questions: "You have spoken arrogantly against Me." Despite the seemingly unfair circumstances, circumstances we all witness in life, the Israelites, their priests, their leaders, etc. all had their own sins they were guilty of as well. However, what you have in this situation is a common human response - 'God this isn't fair!' - or in other words, "God, I'm not doing THAT kind of bad stuff. I'm a believer, doesn't that count for something?"
God calls the Israelites out on their questioning of His fairness by pointing to the real issue - PRIDE. Pride says, "I'm not as bad as that guy..." Pride proclaims, "I'm a child of God, doesn't that mean something?" Pride assumes, "Well, I'm a child of God, so shouldn't I gain some kind of rewards or special blessings?" Is God really nothing more than a magic genie or Santa Clause figure to us?
When we ask the questions about fairness and if its really worth following the Lord, and we all have, its important to realize where this comes from - it comes from a prideful heart.
Dear reader, the next time you're tempted to question God's fairness, repent and continue living for Him. He promises all those who are His children, "For behold, the day is coming...[when] all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble...but to you who fear My name, the [Messiah] shall arise with healing in His wings." (Malachi 4:1-2).
Take heart, Jesus has indeed "overcome the world." We will have trouble in this life, but we aren't living for this life, we look toward and hope in the next. (John 16:33)
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