Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 12 – Malachi (WATCH HERE)
Malachi 3:6–7 “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’”
It’s hard to make a U-turn when you don’t realize you need to make one.
On occasion the voice on my maps says, “Make a U-turn” and I ignore it. I think I might know a better way, or just don’t believe making a U-turn is the best for my travel plans.
How much more a spiritual U-turn when you don’t realize you need to make a U-turn.
Malachi speaks the Word of the Lord to the people of Judah, “Return to me,…”
When these words come from the all-knowing Lord who knows the thoughts of our mind and attitude of our hearts, it comes from a credible source.
We are headed the wrong direction.
The heart condition of God’s people was drifting once again from the Lord. They were hearts that thought they were doing the right thing…for them. They didn’t realize the priority of their hearts had drifted from the Lord to the things of this world.
This can happen in our life.
Work gets busy and the Lord gets little time. Life produces challenges and the Lord is not seen as part of the solution…perhaps even the problem. The attitude that life with the Lord can be done in the future is overshadowed by a life absent from the Lord in the present.
So the words of the Lord through Malachi are needed today as well: “Return to me.”
Stop. Evaluate the direction you are headed and return with all your heart, soul and mind to the Lord.
“…and I will return to you.”
It is a natural thing for the Lord to draw near to those who draw near to him. Like magnets that are aligned come together, so is the Lord and a heart that is aligned to him.
But you ask, “How are we to return?”
Unfortunately the people’s response isn’t, “Ok, Lord. You are right. We are getting rid of the things that cause our heart to drift and walking fully with you.”
The question “How are we to return?” seems like a stall tactic from a group of people who are not really asking “HOW” but perhaps implied is “HOW COME.”
Admitting their hearts had drifted was hampered by the pride that doesn’t want to recognize it would mean giving up love of wealth, selfish ambitions, and personal priorities.
To be sure, this is one of the greatest promises in the prophet: God does not change — which means He remains merciful. God is MORE THAN ready and willing to welcome the sinner back into his fold. Repentance leads us back to the Lord.It is a gift God gives to draw us back. It is His grace possessing our hearts again. Through Christ, the Father already stands with open arms, like the father in Luke 15.
“How do we return?”
Look to Christ. Trust again. Give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to align your heart again.
Repentance always leads home.
Reflection: Where do I need to return to God today? What burdens am I carrying that Christ already paid for?
Prayer: Faithful God, Thank You that Your love does not change. Turn my heart from sin and draw me near again to Christ. Amen.