Here are some things people might say to excuse themselves from worshiping and serving God: “I’m tired.”
“I feel unappreciated.”
“I don’t want to do it.”
Would we use such excuses with our employers? Hmm. . . I doubt it. So why is it that we dare to use them with God? That was exactly God’s question to His people in Malachi 1:6-14.
The Israelites were dishonoring God’s name by bringing defiled sacrifices to Him. They were supposed to bring their best, but they were choosing to present their worst—animals that were diseased and not whole (Malachi 1:7-8). By giving Him worthless offerings and ignoring His laws concerning acceptable animal sacrifices (Leviticus 22:17-25; Deuteronomy 15:21), they showed how little they thought of Him.
So God said, “Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” (Malachi 1:8). Here the Lord gives us a valuable test to determine how well we’re going about our service to Him: Are we trying to present to God the things we wouldn’t dare present to a human leader?
One Bible teacher pointedly questions: “How can we possibly have less respect for the King of kings than we do for the political powers who are appointed by Him?” God is not only the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, He’s also our Father and Master. We’re to love and honor Him. As we read the Lord’s message to Israel of old, we should ask ourselves: Are we giving God our leftover time and energy—our second-best? Or our best?
“A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your Father and Master, where are the honor and respect I deserve?” (Malachi 1:6).
Is God saying this to you today?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 21:4-9
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians,6:9; and 2 Thessalonians 3:13. What do these verses tell us about how we should serve God?
Next:
In what way could you be showing contempt to God today? What does it mean for you to offer Him your best?
genegoh89 on February 21, 2012 at 8:27 am
Oh boy. This sure is a reminder once again. How often have we minimized God to a small (if not at all) portion of our lives, and how so few of us “enter through the narrow gate.” Thanks for the reminder. God bless.
tom felten on February 21, 2012 at 9:59 am
genegoh89, I’m reminded of Cain’s sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-6) . . . and God’s rejection of it. Clearly, God was striving to get Cain to examine his wandering heart and his devotion to Him. May we take time to consider our own heart for God this day.
Ruth on February 21, 2012 at 10:25 am
How often I think that if I do some unexcusable behavior that it’s okay, because God understands. I don’t do my best for the Lord, and I expect Him , the Lord of Hosts, to overlook it and offer easy grace. Forgive me, Father, for my laziness, my whining, my low expectations, and raise me up to a level that genuinely pleases you.
mike on February 21, 2012 at 2:09 pm
I am reminded of Joshua 24:15 as it relates to making a choice of who we will serve.
For myself I have to be purposeful with this in my own heart and mind daily.
It can be easy to slide our faith to the side when it may not be the popular thing to do.
Thanks for the great reminder.
marilynmk on February 21, 2012 at 3:46 pm
That’s so true. Sometimes we give our leftover time to God giving Him the last priority in our lives.We should put Him first in everything we do.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”.
cali4ange on February 21, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Yes, God is so speaking to be about this! I get so easily distracted and caught up with things that I don’t take the time to seek Him and know Him! That is no excuse, and I told God last night that before I do anything with my time and attention it will start with him, each time I do something that catches my eyes, I will read the bible first, meditate on Him. That is a start for me, and will help me reflect on Him more and more.
ptmtrt on February 22, 2012 at 1:11 am
As a wife and mother,i need to attend
to my family’s needs in the morning.
My daily quiet time usually in the mid-
day. If i choose to do my devotion
first thing in the morning i would
probably be skimming through the
reading.
How i wish my family can devote our
first hour of each day to the Lord.
May God bless all who hunger for His
words.
pohfangchia on February 22, 2012 at 1:26 am
Hi ptmtrt,
Thank you for your sharing. I greatly encouraged by your simple and heartfelt desire to give God your best.
🙂
Poh Fang
winn collier on February 23, 2012 at 10:40 pm
Thankfully, honor can grow over time, in years of love and relationship. I see that with my boys toward me.
mike wittmer on February 24, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Terrific post! I need to offer sacrifices to the Lord that cost me something–how else will he know I love him?