DCLM Higher Everyday 4 May 2024 — Return, and God will return
Topic: Return, and God will return
Text: Malachi 3:6-12
6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith 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.
11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Key Verse: “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return (Malachi 3:7).
Message
Jehovah was displeased with Israel and Judah for a number of reasons. They were sorcerers, adulterers, swearers, and oppressors of the weak in the society. In addition, God’s controversy with Israel, as a nation, was their refusal to give tithes and offerings to make adequate provision for His house. The consequence; ‘Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation” (Malachi 3:9).
To be free from this curse and enjoy His blessings, God instructed them to bring all the tithes for enough provision for His house. The benefits they would derive if they obeyed Him included an abundant provision for the nation, preservation from all evils, the rebuke of all devourers and peculiar favour before all men. Beloved, it is wrong to assume that tithing was limited to the Old Testament era. If the blessings mentioned above are not just for Old Testament saints, then Christians must obey the commandments for their benefit. Christian, return to God by obedience to His Word and enjoy His blessing.
Quote: Return to God by obedience
Challenge: Not tithing is robbing God.
Prayer for today: Lord, give me the grace to show my love by obedience.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
