If we take the time to look at the book of Malachi, I think too often we can find ourselves there. It was the last of the books of the Old Testament and is so filled with sadness as a Loving God pleads for His people to turn around and to really love and honor Him as their heavenly Father. It begins with "1:1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 2. I have loved you, saith the Lord; Yet ye say, Wherein has thou loved us?"
Have you ever done that? Looked at God and said, “If you loved me then why I am in this situation that I am in? Why can’t I have what I asked for? Why, Lord, if you love me?’ Have you ever pouted or withdrawn from God in depression because He didn’t give you what you wanted? Have you ever yelled at God in anger because He didn’t give you the thing you thought you desired? Be honest here. I know I have, too often.
Drawing Courtesy of Ronald Barba © 2012 Ronald Barba
“How can you expect to dwell with God forever, if you so neglect and forsake him here?” Jonathan Edwards from Selected Sermons of Jonathan Edwards
God went on to plead, “6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you ….that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee?”
What about this? Do we honor Him as a Father?
Do we show Him the respect and love that He so deserves? This is a matter of the heart. Do we put money in the offering plate because we feel we have to or because we love Him so much we long to? Am I giving only with the purpose of receiving financial blessing from God or am I giving because I truly want His Glorious Gospel to be spread. If I am giving to gain, then I will become bitter and angry when God allows financial deserts in our life. If I am truly giving because I love Him, then no sacrifice is too great to honor Him.
Malachi 3: “13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?” Do I live my life out of love and devotion that I want to bring honor to the name of my Father or because I want to try to avoid punishment. If it is the latter, I do it with a feeling of resentment and become bitter when I don’t understand His response. If my “working to obey” that I might gain favor; then, I become disillusioned and angry when His Wisdom chooses to say no to my requests. On the other hand, if I follow Him because of love; then no sacrifice is too great for His Kingdom.
What is so amazing is the magnificent Grace, Patience, and Love of God to continue to plead with us. In the book of Malachi, He foretells of the coming of Christ to the earth to pay our penalty of sin that we might be clothed in His Righteousness. What an amazing Grace that truly is. He also in Chapter 4 foretells of the second coming of Christ. Malachi 4: “2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
So, my question to you and to me today; “Do I love Him enough? He who loved me before the world began, He who called me to be His Child, He who paid all the penalty for my wretched selfish heart, and He who bids me Come and Sit at His feet of Glory, Joy, and Love. Oh that I would love Him more!!!
Let us return our hearts to those of children and sing along with this child’s prayer and let us each “grow up knowing, loving, and serving Jesus”. I Love You, Jesus
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. and is protected under copyright laws. If you desire copies please go to: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/my-ethereal-angel-ronald-barba.html
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”