December 11

 

Scripture of the day: "'Your words have been arrogant against Me,' says the Lord. 'Yet you say, "What have we spoken against You?" You have said, "It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of hosts? So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape."' Malachi 3:13-15

 

Thought of the day: God had earlier criticized the Israelites for questioning His justice, Malachi 2:17. In today's Scripture He criticized them for arrogantly questioning His rewards. They believed that there was no profit in serving Him ... that those who did not serve Him were built up (rewarded) ... and that those wicked people tested God and escaped.

 

Challenge of the day: The Israelites wrongly thought that God's favor was measured by their immediate earthly profit. There was a man who loved God and served Him fully. What did it profit that man? He didn't take over the family business. He never owned a house. He went into the ministry instead ... but that lasted only a few years. He was very popular at first ... but soon was rejected by almost everyone. He ended up in prison and was executed. He didn't seem to profit at all from keeping God's charge. But we did ... that man was Jesus. He was sinless ... following His Father's will perfectly. Should we expect more earthly rewards from our inferior obedience to the Father? Don't arrogantly question God's wisdom in the distribution of earthly profit. Don't measure your walk with God by the bottom line of profit. Don't insult God by thinking of Him as some celestial vending machine. Focus on what you can do for Him rather than what you want Him to do for you.

 

 

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