Proving God

I have heard all my life that nobody can prove God.  We have been told to just believe that He exists, that He possesses all the attributes of deity, and that He is God forever.  God doesn’t need proof.  In fact, if anyone needs proving, it is man.  Moses said it.  “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” Deuteronomy 8:2.  The Psalmist echoed it.  “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Psalm 26:2.

Proving someone or something means that the facts are in doubt.  The only way to obtain proof of the reality or credibility of the entity in question is to put it to a test.  This is where we come apart at the seams.  Demanding proof exposes a lack of faith.  Pure faith leaps before it looks, does it not?  Total and unequivocal belief places no parameters of God.  To demand that God should submit to proof speaks of sacrilege and infidelity.

And yet, despite all the points aforementioned, the Prophet Malachi writes the unthinkable.  “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 3:10. This is a remarkable scripture.  Here, God challenges us to prove Him!  Evidently, He gives concession to the hard-headed nature of man.  Rather than vilifying us for our shameful lack of temerity, God throws down the gauntlet to us.  He says to us, “Okay, if you are having a hard time believing me, I’m giving you a chance to prove that My Word is true!” Failure to accept God at His Word is one thing; failure to put Him to the test is something else. 

First, from a negative perspective, the most tragic decision we can make is to act with prejudice toward God. It is at this point that simple doubt turns into blatant mistrust; that temptation becomes sin.  When we refuse to turn our tithes and offerings over to God, we confess that we do not trust God.  When we decline to make our prayers and petitions known to God, we accuse God with nonperformance.  When we consciously disregard God’s Word, we charge Him with lying! God gives us latitude for uncertainty, but He does not give room for scorn.  “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7.

From the positive perspective, however, the picture changes dramatically!  God honors the slightest move in His direction.  You don’t have to have the faith of a Bible superhero.  Even if you are hesitant, even if you have nagging doubts, even if you aren’t sure that it makes sense, you can at least put God to the test.  Proving God, by definition, means that you are not one hundred percent sure, but you are willing to try.  God is okay with that!  Here is the second part of the verse in Malachi.  “… if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”  The excitement of that promise alone should galvanize you into action!

Don’t think you can afford to pay your tithes and give in offerings?  The solution is to go ahead and give.   A blessing that you can’t contain awaits you!  Not sure about praying in earnest about a need in your life?  Go ahead and start to pray with faith believing.  An astonishing answer is out there ready to be unleashed!  Uncertain about obeying a command in the Word of God?  The blessings and benefits that God has ordained for the obedient cannot be overstated.  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.