SCRIPTURE: Malachi 2
OBSERVATION:
The Lord’s messenger addresses two issues in this reading, the failure of the leaders (priests) to teach and direct God’s people properly [2:1-9] and the failure of husbands to remain true to their wives [2:10-16]. The result was that the God’s special community was experiencing the curse (natural, awful consequences) of twisted teaching and broken promises. The curse is not God’s cruel revenge, but His allowing His people to experience the natural consequences of their choices. It is an act of tough love. God is very concerned about His people being led astray, and the defenseless women (in that society) being abandoned, neglected or abused by their husbands.
APPLICATION:
This passage reminds me AGAIN that the problem in the world is not God’s lack of love or power, but our abuse of love and power. He has entrusted us with the responsibility to lead and to love in a healthy, holy way. It is our failure to lead and love this way that causes all the misery and hurt in our world (the curse of sin).
As a leader and a teacher, I need to be very serious about how I lead and what I teach, for it has a huge bearing on those under my leadership. As a husband and father, I need to be very serious about my responsibilities to my wife and children. I have promises to keep!
We also need to remember that we are all priests of Jesus, representing Him to the world. People we meet ought to be able to receive sound instruction and direction from us. Sadly, ‘christians’ have often been guilty of causing many to stumble.
PRAYER:
Lord, I made a promise to be a husband, and a father, a pastor/leader and a Jesus-follower. I have the responsibility to lead and teach those around in me a healthy, holy way. Keep me close to You, and help me not to harm or lead others astray.
The basics issues of life are from the heart. If we do not listen to the Lord, it is a heart matter, because we serve ourselves. As His servant, His messenger, knowledge and instruction from the Lord should come from my mouth. My words , my actions may not be stumbling blocks for those around me, causing them to sin. Help me Lord to walk daily with You. Breaking faith with God will also break faith in our relationships here on earth. (It reminds me of the poem In Flanders Fields.)
I have vowed before the Lord to be faithful to the love of my life, my wife. In my daily walk with her, I too may not break faith, because she is my partner. My words must be the same as my actions. My head and my heart and my hand all must be on the same page so others may see I am a Christian by my love – obeying the Word of the Lord. He is first, always.
Help me in this day Lord to see You leading me. In my own power, I am nothing, but You as my Saviour and Guide, will keep me on the Way even as I address the ES chapel today to train themselves in Your Word.
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.