Are we giving the Lord first place in all our choices and plans? Have we given Him the best of our time and our abilities as an act of worship and devotion?
Many centuries ago, the prophet Malachi delivered a message to God’s people about their sin of relegating to the bottom of the heap the Lord’s place in their lives. Oh yes, the priests were still attending the required meetings and filling their chairs — so to speak. If you were judging their spirituality based on their faithful attendance, rituals and being there for the roll call — they would walk off the stage with trophies.
But look a bit deeper. Examine more closely what they were bringing to the Lord. Look at that old sheep barely able to walk, wobbling on three legs with the fourth limb hanging loose, and yes —they’re bringing it for sacrifice. If it were just one, well, perhaps an exception could be made. But look at all the faithful attendees dragging their emaciated, sickly, wounded and wobbly animals to the temple for sacrifice. Fulfilling their spiritual obligations — really? They were going through the motions for sure – but were they really giving the Lord their best?
How did the Lord view the quality of their sacrifices, and the effort they were putting into His things, and the choices they were making? Here’s what He said:
When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favour? says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 1:8
Would you keep your job if you gave as much to your employer in time, energy, and brain power as you usually give to the Lord each week? Would your ‘governor’ give you a raise or a positive review? Would he recommend you for a promotion?
The Lord wasn’t ambivalent about the quality of their sacrifices, nor was He prepared to gloss over their less-than-the-best sacrifices. He was, in fact, seriously offended by their offerings! At the end of Malachi Chapter 1, He uses a phrase that shows just how wrong they were in their complacency, rituals, and the poverty of their offerings.
Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. Malachi 1:14
Am I giving my Great King my best? Am I reading His Word and praying at the time of day when my mind is the most uncluttered and alert? Or am I trying to soothe my conscience by grabbing a few verses while my head nods, and I need toothpicks to keep my eyes open? Is He basically just getting my leftovers and trickles of worship? Does He see me doing some last-minute rummaging through my wallet, hoping to find some token of monetary value to give as an act of spiritual worship?
Imagine if the Lord, my Great King, called me into His office for an annual appraisal; how would I feel during such a meeting? How would I feel leaving His office?
Take some time today to reflect on areas of your spiritual life that may need some adjustments. What changes could you make to give your Great King more of yourself and more of what He is truly worthy of?
Try to identify some areas of your life where you are probably ‘short-changing’ the Lord and then pray about it. Open yourself up to the Lord in His Presence.
Here’s the reality: no Christian is doing well if there are regular gaps of two or three days without communing with the Lord and reading His Word.
If we genuinely want to experience greater spiritual power, we must deliberately and strategically increase our time ruminating over the Word of God. If we’re going to know our God and deepen our relationship with Christ, then we must open our hearts to the Lord and drink from His Word with anticipation.
I must humbly ask the Lord to work in my life mightily and give me both the desire and strength to surrender my will each day to the Lord and bow my heart to the claims of Christ.
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