Zephaniah described God’s people in his day and time as follows: “…who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad’.” (Zephaniah 1:12)
Many of God’s people today, have this same mindset of God. Let us consider what this attitude reveals as well as HOW and WHY people develop this attitude.
This mindset had developed among God’s people in the O. T. era, because of their persistent disobedience to the Law of Moses. As a result, they had become “settled" in this way of living. Zephaniah’s wrote, “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil…” (1:12). They had become complacent! Other of God's prophets wrote of this complacency, explaining the 'how' and 'why' it came about.
Ezekiel was told of God, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land” (8:12).
Malachi revealed even more insight. He described their complaining and murmuring as follows: “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’?” (2:17).
Malachi also wrote, “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’?” (3:14)
Many Christians suffer from the same complacency. They have become enticed by the glitter of denominational practices, the flair of their extravagant worship services, and sought to incorporate them into the worship of the Lord. They have become weary of standing for the truth! Read again what Malachi 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’?” (Malachi 3:14)
In reality, they see the proverbial “greener grass” among the denominational ways and desire to be fed with their ‘social’ food! They see the prosperity…the large numbers among them and conclude that God does not “see”; that there is not ‘justice’ with God. As the Psalmist stated of the wicked in Psalm 94:7 – “…they say ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive’.”
God answered with a reply that is still applicable today!
“Pay attention, you stupid people! Fools, when will you be wise? Can the One who shaped the ear not hear, the One who formed the eye not see? The One who instructs nations, the One who teaches man knowledge— does He not discipline? The LORD knows man's thoughts; they are meaningless. LORD, happy is the man you discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. The LORD will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” (Psalm 94:8-15).
Many of God’s people today, have this same mindset of God. Let us consider what this attitude reveals as well as HOW and WHY people develop this attitude.
This mindset had developed among God’s people in the O. T. era, because of their persistent disobedience to the Law of Moses. As a result, they had become “settled" in this way of living. Zephaniah’s wrote, “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil…” (1:12). They had become complacent! Other of God's prophets wrote of this complacency, explaining the 'how' and 'why' it came about.
Ezekiel was told of God, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land” (8:12).
Malachi revealed even more insight. He described their complaining and murmuring as follows: “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’?” (2:17).
Malachi also wrote, “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’?” (3:14)
Many Christians suffer from the same complacency. They have become enticed by the glitter of denominational practices, the flair of their extravagant worship services, and sought to incorporate them into the worship of the Lord. They have become weary of standing for the truth! Read again what Malachi 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’?” (Malachi 3:14)
In reality, they see the proverbial “greener grass” among the denominational ways and desire to be fed with their ‘social’ food! They see the prosperity…the large numbers among them and conclude that God does not “see”; that there is not ‘justice’ with God. As the Psalmist stated of the wicked in Psalm 94:7 – “…they say ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive’.”
God answered with a reply that is still applicable today!
“Pay attention, you stupid people! Fools, when will you be wise? Can the One who shaped the ear not hear, the One who formed the eye not see? The One who instructs nations, the One who teaches man knowledge— does He not discipline? The LORD knows man's thoughts; they are meaningless. LORD, happy is the man you discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. The LORD will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” (Psalm 94:8-15).
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