World Changing Words Devotional-Day 53

MALACHI 1:13-14 | ¹³ “What a weariness this is,” you say, and you sniff at me, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. ¹⁴ Cursed be the cheat who has a male in the flock and vows to give it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is reverenced among the nations.

 MALACHI 2:17 | ¹⁷ You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

 The second way Israelites were cheating God was more subtle. “What weariness is this!,” they said in reference to worship practices and sacrifices. They were not emotionally engaged, earnest, and fully present in their prayers and giving. In fact, they complained about the results of their piety, as if they were in a position to judge God for “not delivering.”

 God sees the hearts of his people, then and now. What he wants most from us is the sincerity of our attitudes. He craves our
devotion out of a wellspring of love and concern for us and a desire that we enjoy the precious gift of his presence, his guidance, and his power.

 Have you ever worshipped in a careless way?

 How present are you in your devotions?

Tags: devotion, sincerity