Don’t Fall For The Wicked Propserity
From Pastor Tim Olof
Malachi 3:13-15
“Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the Lord, “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners before the Lord of hosts? So now call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up; they even tempt God and go free.’”
These were harsh words spoken by God’s people against God. Israel spoke against the LORD in a harsh and sinful way – and they apparently didn’t even realize they did so. They saw the prosperity of the proud and those who did wickedness, and they felt that it was useless to serve God as long as those who didn’t serve Him seemed to live comfortably.
It costs something to keep God’s ordinance, yet it seemed to God’s people that the cost wasn’t worth the reward.
How many times Satan tries to throw that little trip on us. "Doesn't really pay. What profit is it that I've tried to be good? Look, they took advantage of me. It doesn't pay to serve God."
I must tell you that I have wanted to quit many times in the ministry, and I am so glad that I didn’t. Does it get difficult? Yes. Is it always fun? No. But I know that I am serving the One who served, and I am willing to continue to serve no matter if others do alongside me, or if I am ridiculed for doing so. The blessing of serving the Lord is too good to pass up.
Love,
Tim
