Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is Malachi 3:12

 

Malachi 3:12 And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the LORD of hosts.

 

Our text today is another one of God’s wonderful promises. It comes at the end of a reprimand to His people who had turned away from God’s instructions. “Even from the days of your fathers you have gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, How shall we return?” Malachi 3:7

 

They are going through their daily religious rituals and are feeling secure in their position as the chosen people. But God points not to what they are doing, but to what they are not doing. While they are going through the motions of being religious, they are actually not honoring God at all. In fact, they are robbing Him. “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, How have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Malachi 3:8-9

 

They, like many of us, wanted to have an appearance of godliness, but still be in control of their lives, which, in this case, amounted to their substance, their belongings, and their money. When they did not put God first in this area, returning to Him the portion which He requires, they could not rightfully claim the blessings promised by Him. But God provides a remedy: “Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10

 

Here is an incredible thing; God asks to be put to the test. He asks that we prove whether or not He will do what He says. To follow His instructions, however, requires us to relinquish control, put God first, and let Him be in charge, not only of our resources but also our lives. When we put God first in tithes and offerings, not just once or twice but always, we are saying to Him that we trust Him more than what we have in our hands. When we demonstrate that we put all of our trust in God, He pours His blessings out upon us and His blessings are bigger than our hands.

 

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim