Malachi 2
Today's Passage: Malachi 2
Here is another thing you do. You covet the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” (v. 13-14a)
In Malachi 2, it’s clear as to why the Lord was not paying attention to Israel. They priests were defiling the Temple (v. 1-9) and people were ruining their covenantal marriages (v. 10-16). They wanted the Lord to listen to them without giving any devotion to Him.
Have you ever treated God like this? You want Him to do stuff for you, but you also live however you want. I know there have been seasons in my life where this was true for me.
This reveals a selfish heart, because it says, “I only want God if He will do what I want. I won’t listen unless it benefits my desires.” And this is a dangerous place to be.
I think where we have to be cautious is when we begin to have these thoughts subconsciously. We might not say it out loud, but in our heart, we would be happier if God would just do things “our way”. For example, “God, I would really like this job promotion so I could make more money and buy a more comfortable life. Oh, and also, I will tithe more.” And I am not saying it is wrong to desire things, but what is our motivation for desiring such things.
The questions to ask: Are the things I’m desiring bringing glory to God? Are the things I’m doing bringing glory to God? A selfish heart does not first look to God and His glory.
Take time and reflect: Are you chasing after God so He can give you your desires? Or are you chasing after God out of an abundance of love for Him?
Written By: Brice Stockton
Here is another thing you do. You covet the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” (v. 13-14a)
In Malachi 2, it’s clear as to why the Lord was not paying attention to Israel. They priests were defiling the Temple (v. 1-9) and people were ruining their covenantal marriages (v. 10-16). They wanted the Lord to listen to them without giving any devotion to Him.
Have you ever treated God like this? You want Him to do stuff for you, but you also live however you want. I know there have been seasons in my life where this was true for me.
This reveals a selfish heart, because it says, “I only want God if He will do what I want. I won’t listen unless it benefits my desires.” And this is a dangerous place to be.
I think where we have to be cautious is when we begin to have these thoughts subconsciously. We might not say it out loud, but in our heart, we would be happier if God would just do things “our way”. For example, “God, I would really like this job promotion so I could make more money and buy a more comfortable life. Oh, and also, I will tithe more.” And I am not saying it is wrong to desire things, but what is our motivation for desiring such things.
The questions to ask: Are the things I’m desiring bringing glory to God? Are the things I’m doing bringing glory to God? A selfish heart does not first look to God and His glory.
Take time and reflect: Are you chasing after God so He can give you your desires? Or are you chasing after God out of an abundance of love for Him?
Written By: Brice Stockton
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