Today, the Lord condemns the priests for how they lead worship. They have despised the Lord’s table by bringing sacrifices that are not worthy of the Lord. As you’ve heard it said before, I’m sure the Lord deserves our best. Now, I was raised that means our best clothing. I still can’t go to church without a sports coat. But it means more than that. It means the posture of our hearts. It means our attitudes. It means our expectations. Do we expect to encounter God in worship? Do we expect to meet Him there? Are we prepared? Have we prayed? Do we come to worship with that expectation? The posture of our worship, in many ways, determines if we encounter God there or not.

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Good morning! Today, we’re continuing our study in Malachi by reflecting on chapter 1, verses 6 through 14. In this passage, God rebukes the priests for dishonoring His name by offering defiled sacrifices. They were giving God the leftovers—animals that were blind, lame, or sick—instead of the best of their flock. God is displeased with this because it shows a lack of reverence and respect for Him.

God expects us to give our best in worship and in our lives, not just going through the motions or offering what’s left over. Just as God expected the Israelites to offer unblemished sacrifices, He expects us to approach Him with a heart full of reverence and dedication. This means not only in our outward actions but also in the sincerity of our hearts.

God desires sincere worship, not empty rituals. The priests’ actions in Malachi’s time were outwardly religious but inwardly contemptuous. Similarly, our worship should come from a genuine heart, genuinely seeking to honor and glorify God. This sincerity is crucial for true worship that pleases God.

Respect and honor for God are paramount. Just as we would show respect to a human authority, we must show even greater respect to God. This includes how we live our lives, the attitude we bring to worship, and the offerings we present to Him. God compares Himself to a father and master who deserves honor and respect, emphasizing the importance of our reverence for Him.

Preparation for worship is essential. We should prepare our hearts, approaching God with expectation, ready to encounter Him and receive what He has for us. Whether it’s on a Sunday morning or in our daily devotions, our posture should be one of reverence and readiness to meet with God. This means taking time to pray and seek God’s face, ensuring that our hearts are in the right place for worship.

Jesus addressed a similar issue when He cleansed the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers and driving out those who were exploiting worshipers. The temple had become a place of commerce rather than a house of prayer, and the quality of the offerings was compromised. Jesus’ actions were a call to restore true worship, where God is honored and the poor are not exploited.

As we reflect on this passage, let’s examine our own approach to worship. Are we giving God our best? Are we sincere and reverent? Do we come to worship expecting to encounter Him and be transformed? Let’s strive to honor God in our worship and lives, giving Him the respect He deserves. Thank you for joining in this reflection on Malachi. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with chapter 2. Have a blessed day!