December 5, 2021 Text: Malachi 3:1-7b
Dear Friends in Christ,
Here’s a story for you: “An optimist said to a pessimist, ‘isn’t this a bright, sunny day?’ The pessimist replied, ‘Yes, but if this heat doesn’t stop soon, all the grass will burn up.’ Two days later, the optimist said to the pessimist, ‘Isn’t this rain wonderful?’ The pessimist replied, ‘Well, if it doesn’t stop soon, my garden will wash away.’ Later the optimist invited the pessimist to go duck hunting. The optimist wanted to show the pessimist what his hunting dog could do. The pessimist looked at the dog and said, ‘Looks like a mutt to me.’
“At that moment, some ducks flew over. The optimist shot one of the ducks and it fell in the lake. The dog ran out on the water, picked up the duck, and ran back on the water. The optimist took the duck from the dog and said to the pessimist, ‘What do you think of my dog now?’ The pessimist replied, ‘Dumb dog – can’t even swim!’”
Are you the optimist or the pessimist? How do you see God’s love for you in Christ Jesus? How do you view God working in your life? Do you ever wonder . . .
“WHERE IS THE GOD OF JUSTICE?”
That is a question posed by the people of Malachi’s time. It comes in chapter 2 right before our text. Israel was not ushering in the glorious and prosperous reign they had hoped for. Israel had internal problems and external problems. Pagan people were prospering because of their wickedness. The people questioned God and thought he delighted in all this. The believers were burdened, the wicked rejoiced. Things were upside down. People began to think that God was unlike His promises. Had He forgotten His people?
Our text is God’s answer to these wearying accusations. God will act and soon. Yet God’s coming will not be as the people expect and hope. The pagan will not be the first focus of God’s judgment. Rather, god’s coming will be in the purification of his own people. They must be upright before God judges the outsider and brings in the everlasting victory.
The Lord expects better of His people. As silver gets tarnished in the open air, we easily adopt the ways of the world. We are influenced by what we see and hear. We buy into the babble and as we do the image of God starts to be hidden in our lives. We sing with the world: “Where is the God of justice?” We start believing that God doesn’t care. We start believing that God will no longer intervene with his justice. We think God has become like certain big city cops who are told to let bad behavior go. Our world like Malachi’s is turned upside down.
God could have destroyed Israel for not paying attention. But He didn’t. God has every right to destroy our society for not paying attention. But He doesn’t. He rebuked them. He rebukes us. He warned them and us of God’s imminent coming with purifying fire. They needed to repent and so do we. If we do we can endure the coming of the Lord. He promised the people they would once again be “pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old.” (v. 4)
Luke announced the “way of the Lord” was the coming of Jesus. Jesus’ sufferings, going to the cross, were the purifying fire and the fullers’ soap. Jesus endured the day of His coming and He stood under the judgment of God. Jesus obedient passion was the offering “pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old.” Being united in Christ by His death, we return to God, as He returns to us.
Where is the God of justice? He is right here with us. He never left. Our text, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (v. 6) He’s consistent, we are inconsistent. He’s a rock, we are sand. The Lord has control, we spin out of control. God is the same, we blow like the wind with whatever news we hear that day. God smiles. “Dear child, there you go again.”
In our world God is very near. This God of justice is fair and righteous. He has purified us in Baptism. He has given us endurance to stand in the strength of His body and blood. He has re-created us in his image so that we can shine clear and bright in the darkness of the world.
Like in the time of Malachi the Lord is refining us. He is making us stronger for the upcoming journey. He wants us to have a healthy fear of who He is and what He can do. He reminds us again today that a primary aspect of His constancy is his desire to save. His willingness to forgive. His gift of hope.
Where is the God of justice? He is never far away. He draws near to your heart and mind. I’m so glad I know that, aren’t you?
Amen.