Finding Worth in Serving God Amid Doubt
Summary
In the time of Malachi, the people of God were experiencing spiritual apathy and disillusionment. Despite having returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, their enthusiasm for worship had waned. They questioned the value of serving God, observing that the wicked seemed to prosper while the righteous suffered. This sentiment is captured in Malachi's prophecy, which uses a question-and-answer format to address the people's doubts and frustrations. The central question posed is, "Is it worth it to serve God?"
Throughout history, many faithful individuals have grappled with this question. Figures like Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Martin Luther, John Knox, Charles Spurgeon, and George W. Truitt faced immense trials and doubts, yet they persevered in their faith. Their stories remind us that questioning and struggling with faith is a common experience among believers.
Malachi's prophecy offers three compelling reasons why it is indeed worth it to serve God. First, it is worth it if we desire God's attention above all else. God listens to our complaints and doubts, and His attention is a testament to His care and presence in our lives. Second, it is worth it if we want to be remembered by God. The "scroll of remembrance" signifies that God cherishes those who honor Him, and our names are recorded in His book. Finally, it is worth it if we prefer to be God's treasure rather than possess earthly treasures. We are His "segula," His personal and inviolable treasure, and He promises to spare us on the day of judgment.
Ultimately, the decision to serve God is a personal one. It depends on whether we value His attention, remembrance, and treasure above all else. In the face of doubt and discouragement, we are encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness and to support one another in our spiritual journeys. Serving God is a privilege and an honor, and it is through this service that we find our true worth and identity as His cherished people.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Attention: Serving God is worth it if we value His attention above all else. Even in our doubts and complaints, God listens and cares for us. His attention reveals His presence and love, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. [09:39]
2. Being Remembered by God: Our names are recorded in God's "scroll of remembrance," signifying that He cherishes those who honor Him. While the world may forget us, God never will. Being remembered by God is a profound assurance of our eternal significance. [23:25]
3. God's Treasure: We are God's personal treasure, His "segula." This means we are cherished and protected by Him. On the day of judgment, the distinction between the righteous and the wicked will be clear, affirming our worth as His treasured possession. [26:26]
4. Historical Struggles: Many faithful individuals throughout history, like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, have questioned the value of serving God. Their stories remind us that doubt is a natural part of faith, and perseverance in the face of trials is a testament to our commitment to God. [14:30]
5. Community Support: In times of doubt and discouragement, we must support and encourage one another. The fellowship of believers is vital in overcoming spiritual apathy and finding strength in God's faithfulness. Together, we can remind each other of God's past deliverances and His promises for the future. [20:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:42] - Introduction to Malachi's Prophecy
- [04:34] - Questioning the Value of Serving God
- [07:30] - Spiritual Apathy and Discouragement
- [09:39] - God's Attention and Our Complaints
- [11:57] - Historical Examples of Doubt
- [14:30] - John the Baptist's Struggles
- [17:08] - Martin Luther and John Knox's Trials
- [20:40] - Community Support and Encouragement
- [23:25] - Being Remembered by God
- [26:26] - God's Treasure and the Day of Judgment
- [28:25] - The Undisputed Treasure of God's People
- [31:24] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Malachi 3:13-18
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#### Observation Questions
1. What were the complaints of the people in Malachi's time regarding serving God, and how did God respond to them? [04:34]
2. How does Malachi describe the distinction between the righteous and the wicked in his prophecy? [04:34]
3. What is the significance of the "scroll of remembrance" mentioned in Malachi 3:16? [23:25]
4. How did historical figures like Jeremiah and John the Baptist express their doubts about serving God, according to the sermon? [11:57]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to value God's attention over anyone else's, and how might this perspective change one's approach to faith? [09:39]
2. How does the concept of being remembered by God provide assurance to believers, especially when feeling forgotten by the world? [23:25]
3. In what ways does the idea of being God's "segula" or treasured possession impact a believer's identity and sense of worth? [26:26]
4. How can the stories of historical figures who faced trials and doubts encourage modern believers in their own spiritual journeys? [14:30]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged in your faith. How did you seek God's attention during that period, and what was the outcome? [09:39]
2. In what ways can you remind yourself daily that you are remembered by God, even when you feel overlooked by others? [23:25]
3. Consider the earthly treasures you value. How can you shift your focus to being God's treasure instead of accumulating material wealth? [26:26]
4. How can the stories of Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and other historical figures inspire you to persevere in your faith despite doubts and challenges? [14:30]
5. What practical steps can you take to support and encourage fellow believers who are experiencing spiritual apathy or discouragement? [20:40]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to see the value of serving God. How can you address this struggle with prayer and community support? [07:30]
7. How can you actively participate in creating a supportive community that helps others remember God's faithfulness and promises? [20:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Valuing God's Attention
In times of doubt and spiritual apathy, it is crucial to remember that God listens to our complaints and cares for us deeply. His attention is not passive; it is an active engagement with our lives, revealing His presence and love. When we feel alone in our struggles, God's attentive ear assures us that we are never truly isolated. This divine attention is a testament to His unwavering care and a reminder that our relationship with Him is of utmost importance. [09:39]
Psalm 34:15-16 (ESV): "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God's attentive presence today? How can you actively seek His attention in your daily routine?
Day 2: Assurance of Being Remembered by God
The concept of God's "scroll of remembrance" offers profound assurance that we are cherished and never forgotten by Him. While the world may overlook us, God records the names of those who honor Him, signifying our eternal significance. This divine remembrance is not just a passive acknowledgment but an active cherishing of our faithfulness. It assures us that our efforts to serve God are not in vain, and our lives hold eternal value in His eyes. [23:25]
Isaiah 49:15-16 (ESV): "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."
Reflection: How does knowing that God remembers you change your perspective on your daily actions and decisions? What steps can you take to live in a way that honors this divine remembrance?
Day 3: Treasured as God's Possession
Being God's "segula," or treasured possession, means we are cherished and protected by Him. This identity as His personal treasure assures us of our worth and significance, especially in a world that often values material possessions over spiritual ones. On the day of judgment, the distinction between the righteous and the wicked will be clear, affirming our worth as His treasured possession. Embracing this identity allows us to prioritize our relationship with God over earthly treasures. [26:26]
Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV): "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."
Reflection: What earthly treasures are you tempted to prioritize over your identity as God's treasured possession? How can you realign your priorities to reflect your true worth in Him?
Day 4: Learning from Historical Struggles
Throughout history, many faithful individuals have grappled with doubts about the value of serving God. Figures like Jeremiah and John the Baptist faced immense trials, yet they persevered in their faith. Their stories remind us that questioning and struggling with faith is a common experience among believers. These historical examples encourage us to persevere in our own spiritual journeys, trusting that our commitment to God is worthwhile despite the challenges we face. [14:30]
Hebrews 11:32-34 (ESV): "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced doubts in your faith journey. How can the stories of historical figures who persevered inspire you to remain steadfast in your commitment to God today?
Day 5: The Importance of Community Support
In times of doubt and discouragement, the fellowship of believers is vital in overcoming spiritual apathy. Supporting and encouraging one another helps us find strength in God's faithfulness and reminds us of His past deliverances and promises for the future. Community support is not just about receiving encouragement but also about actively participating in the spiritual growth of others. Together, we can navigate the challenges of faith and find renewed hope in God's promises. [20:40]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support in your spiritual journey? How can you be a source of encouragement and strength for someone else today?
Quotes
In the anguish of their doubts, they cried out, Where is the God of justice? Where is the evidence that God cares about us, that God loves us? Now we know this because of the form of Malachi's prophecy. He used a question and answer format to deliver God's Word to His people. [00:02:00]
And everywhere the word of the prophet was challenged. But not by blasphemers and rebels, so much as it was people who struggled to see the hand of God. Good people, pious people, who were discouraged, who were inhibited in spirit because of the things they saw around them. [00:01:32]
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. They will be mine, says the Lord Almighty, in the day when I make up my treasured possession. [00:04:14]
Now in Malachi's day, just as in our own, you would find certain people who refuse God, who don't acknowledge Him, who persist in their wickedness and in their sin. And then you would find people on the other end of that spectrum, the faithful who serve God, often only a remnant of the whole. [00:04:56]
You look around you, you see the wickedness in the world, you see the injustices that take place, the appearance of the wicked prospering while the good suffer, the guilty are pardoned, the innocent are persecuted, and you have gotten discouraged. You've gotten down as a result. You wonder where God is. [00:05:54]
You remember when you first came to God, when you first professed faith in the Lord Jesus, when your faith was young and new and fresh, and you were like a sponge wanting to soak in the things of God, and God seemed so near, as though He were walking right beside you. [00:06:29]
God wanted them to return to Him. He wanted them to trust Him again. Back up in verse 7, God says, return to me and I will return to you. He's there. He wants them to return to Him. But they were weary, discouraged, frustrated, even disappointed with God. [00:07:57]
And before I get into them, I want to credit Jimmy Draper for finding these in this text. I heard him preach on this many, many years ago. And these things stuck with me. And perhaps they'll stick with you as well. I think they are certainly here in the text of the Scripture. [00:09:25]
And so to that question, is it worth it to serve God? First, we might say, it is worth it if you would rather have God's attention over anyone else's. See, they thought God had abandoned them, but God revealed to them that He was listening. He had heard them, and He heard their complaints. [00:09:58]
Jeremiah, for example, the great prophet of God. He accused God. He asked God questions. He asked God why God hadn't just let him die in his mother's womb. He had a very difficult ministry. God had called Jeremiah to proclaim judgment to the people. And nobody wants to hear that. [00:12:05]
Jesus praised John the Baptist, as you know. He said, of those born of women, there is none greater than John the Baptist. And yet the Baptist asked these questions. In fact, the question has plagued faithful saints throughout the ages. Martin Luther, the great reformer who launched the Protestant Reformation. [00:15:14]
Verse 16 says, Those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. He listened and heard. The remnant pulled together to encourage one another, to bolster one another's spirits, if you will. And so should we. We should do the same in those dark nights of the soul. [00:20:40]
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