Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 12 – Malachi (WATCH HERE)
Let me begin with this thought.
I trust that every gift that individuals have offered to the church has been well meaning and well intentioned.
However, sometimes, honestly, the “church” becomes a step just before the trash pile to receive “gifts” of things that people aren’t using anymore AND have expired their usable lifespan. Usually the item is a result of cleaning out the basement or a new one has been purchased and the old one gets donated.
Malachi challenges the potential mindset of offering God (through his church) our leftovers, the things that aren’t the best, passed their usable timeframe, and really need to be thrown out. The Lord challenges our hearts again to consider, “Am I giving God my best or my leftovers?” “Am I giving God sacrificially or selfishly?” “Am I giving God what reflects what he has given to me or simply what is convenient for me?” Here’s how Malachi confronts “Junk for Jesus.”
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name.
“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7 “You place defiled food on my altar.
“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’
“By saying that the LORD’s table is contemptible. 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.
If we wouldn’t offer it to the governor of our state, perhaps we should consider if we should be offering it to the Lord.
Lord forgive us for offering less than our best to you. Forgive us for worship that is empty, routine rather than in heart-felt reverence.
The Lord through Malachi reminds us that worship is not payment to God. But worship reveals what our heart treasures most.
The Lord loves us enough to penetrate our heart with this message. In love, he calls us back to him and focus on his goodness and grace and encourages our hearts to reflect the same.
He gave us his best to cover the times we fail to give our best. Christ has given us His perfect offering. He is the Lamb without blemish. Because He has given His best which covers all our sin. The result of Christ’s work? The Spirit moves us to respond with joyful excellence, with grateful generosity, with giving our best not our leftovers. This is simply what the Gospel of grace moves us to do. We don’t have to give to earn love. Love has already been given.
Reflection: What are the “leftovers” I sometimes offer to God? How can I give Him my first and best in worship, in my offerings and daily living?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your sacrifice is perfect. Teach me to honor You in how I serve, give, pray, and love. Make my worship a joyful response to Your grace. Amen.