Do You Love Me?

In the book of Malachi, we read of a number of accusations the people of Judah make towards God that essentially accuse Him of not coming through for them.

As we read the first charge they bring against Him, they effectively say: “If you love us why aren’t things better than they are?” Maybe that’s a question you have asked yourself too. If You love me, God, then why haven’t You …? We can probably all fill in the blank! Maybe some of us have many things we’d like to say there.

Recently, at a course at Ellel Grange, we discussed how there are different ways that we each give and receive love, a variety of things we do for each other that we recognise as being loving. Some of us feel loved when we receive thoughtful gifts, or kind affirming words, even a hug, or are given help in the daily details of life. For others, having quality time carved out by someone who simply wants to be with us is a real gift of love. When we ask the questions, of ourselves and those around us, we certainly all seem to give and receive love in different ways.

In Malachi’s time the people weren’t feeling the love of God, but that certainly didn’t mean He didn’t love them. Reading on in Malachi’s first chapter, God explains that, unlike their near neighbour Edom, God’s people are now in the land promised to them and under His watchful eye. It makes me think that sometimes, when we don’t acknowledge the simple things that we have in life, we may miss the fact that all good gifts come from the Lord. If we have food enough to eat today, somewhere to sleep, and clothes to wear, then that is a great gift in life.

But as we read on, and observe the conversation between God and His people, we soon find that the people aren’t actually living in a way that God wants them to. They’re doing whatever they want and ignoring Him. In fact, they’re acting just as badly towards God as their forefathers did; who were taken into exile in Babylonia because they failed to keep their covenant obligations to God. In effect, the people want God to keep His side of the covenant while they are actually ignoring theirs.

The ultimate demonstration of God’s love would be unveiled to His wayward people about four hundred years or so after Malachi’s prophecy was written. This is when God would personally step into the story and Jesus appeared. But sadly, many then didn’t recognise Jesus as God’s love in action, and many still don’t. So, what about us? What about me? How do I believe God shows me His love? If you’re questioning whether God loves you today, remember Jesus. He couldn’t have made the love of God to you any more explicit than He did (John 3:16).