Despise The Name?
Despise The Name?
"But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar." Malachi 1:6-7
Apparently it is easier than you might think to despise God's name. While you would never intentionally despise his name, you can do it unintentionally. Casually. Unthinkingly.
In Malachi's conversational preaching style, he opens his prophetic book with a stiff rebuke for despising God's name--one of the most grievous sins possible. Naturally, the people responded defensively, questioning the legitimacy of such a claim, and demanding evidence. God marshaled as blatant evidence their sloppy worship and anemic, half-hearted offerings.
You mess with your worship and you mess with the name.
What does your worship evidence?
Do you give your full 10% tithe plus offerings, or do you give some shabby, fake substitute that shows you actually despise God's name?
And what about the other areas of obedience--loving your spouse, showing kindness to colleagues and classmates, and forgiving your enemies--do you demonstrate your love for God's name?
When you love his name, you demonstrate it in your daily life.
Father God, search me and try me. I certainly do love your name, but see if there are any areas of my life where I am a hypocrite--where I unintentionally despise your name. I promise in advance to repent because I want to fully honor your name.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
"But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar." Malachi 1:6-7
Apparently it is easier than you might think to despise God's name. While you would never intentionally despise his name, you can do it unintentionally. Casually. Unthinkingly.
In Malachi's conversational preaching style, he opens his prophetic book with a stiff rebuke for despising God's name--one of the most grievous sins possible. Naturally, the people responded defensively, questioning the legitimacy of such a claim, and demanding evidence. God marshaled as blatant evidence their sloppy worship and anemic, half-hearted offerings.
You mess with your worship and you mess with the name.
What does your worship evidence?
Do you give your full 10% tithe plus offerings, or do you give some shabby, fake substitute that shows you actually despise God's name?
And what about the other areas of obedience--loving your spouse, showing kindness to colleagues and classmates, and forgiving your enemies--do you demonstrate your love for God's name?
When you love his name, you demonstrate it in your daily life.
Father God, search me and try me. I certainly do love your name, but see if there are any areas of my life where I am a hypocrite--where I unintentionally despise your name. I promise in advance to repent because I want to fully honor your name.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
Posted in Year on Fire
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