You may be one of those who said it or you heard someone else say it: "it's useless to serve God!" Some complain of trying hard to be righteous and obey God and nothing goes well; so they give up on God. This happened in ancient times. The Prophet Malachi records this dialogue: "You have said harsh things against me," says the Lord. Yet you ask, "What have we said against you?" "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God.' What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Almighty God?" (Malachi 3:13-14 NIV) I don't blame God, I would have been offended, also.
Why do you serve God? Do you have a good reason? Will it stand the test of time? Remember the accusation of the Devil against Job: "Does Job serve God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the works of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face." (Job 1: 9-11 NIV)
Is that true of you? Are you simply serving God for what you can get from Him? Anyway, the roof literally caved in on Job. He lost family, fortune, and health. Did he say serving God was futile? No! In Job 1:22 "in all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrong doing." Smart man!
Why do you serve God? Just because He is mighty and wonderful and worthy of our service? Serve Him for "who" He is and not for "what" He gives.
"Naked I came into the world, naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised."(Job 1:21) This is Job's answer to all who question his devotion to God. How would you answer?
"It is a privilege to know You and serve You, True God! You have given enough reason
and purpose to my life and direction if You never blessed me again. How sweet it is! Amen"
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