Many people have trouble thinking of talking to God, especially if they feel like they are “questioning” God. When something bad happens, we cringe while wanting to ask, “Why?” We’re afraid God will be displeased with us. That He’ll turn His back on us because we shouldn’t be “arguing” with God.
In the past, I’ve studied Malachi and found out that the book is a series of questions and answers. But while reading it today, I saw a different tack. God is reasoning with the “questioning” Jews.
Malachi 1:2 reads,
“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you [the Jews] say, “How have You loved us?”
Then in 1:6-7, we see this conversation,
“‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’
I hadn’t really seen it this way before, but God is not only willing to have a conversation with these disobedient priests, He is trying to reason with them. He evidently is not getting angry or upset. He’s not turning His back or plugging His ears. I picked the photo I did because I think we often think the woman’s response is how God responds to us when we ask Him questions: by putting his fingers in His ears.
But He doesn’t plug His ears. From this passage, it would seem that He is willing to have a conversation and offer truth which He hopes will bring them to obedience. Even though He knows it will not.
I have every confidence that you do want to be receptive to what God shows you. Otherwise, you would not be reading a post like this. You may believe He plugs His ears to you because you haven’t reached perfection or you must offer Him the right wording. But God sees and knows your heart and desires to reason with you.
This is God’s heart toward you:
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.
“If you consent and obey,
You will eat the best of the land;
“But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be devoured by the sword.”
Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20)
I hope this is encouraging. Seek the Lord and don’t be afraid to offer Him all your heart and concerns, even your questions. His ears are not plugged. He is waiting.