I do not know if you are exactly like me, but you most of us rise up every morning and think, What are my task today? What will I do today? So often we have planned this the day before or maybe even weeks or months before. We call these appointments and reservations. These events we plan in the future. Some days though rare we may arise and think - I have no appointments reservations or plans today. Then we quickly begin to think I can relax or maybe I can get that thing done that really needs to be done that I just have not had time to do. But the point is we usually think each morning about the task ot today.
I always start my morning the same. Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest, is read and maybe reread to think about the Lord and my devotion to Him. Then my through the through the year bible is read for the portion of Scripture for today. If somehow this is missed for me then it set the day off right. Then I try to pray. Praying is a hard discipline. To stay on track praying about the things that matter is always difficult. You see I start off good but then within seconds of my focus on the Lord, i begin to think of the things I want to do and today's task. So too often I see the world and and diverted from my prayer. Social media, Television and email pull at me. Plans for the day and preparation for task are seemingly more important than focus on God. Prayer and time with God is always difficult to just worship and focus on God.
This can be difficult for sure and then frustration can come and we begin to think, what is the use? Why trouble myself to attempt to pray? Why? Is God really listening? Does He care? Will my prayers be heard and something change? People in Malachi's day thought the same thing. They thought, What is the use of serving God? Does it Matter? Here is what the prophet wrote:
13 “You have said terrible things about me,” says the LORD.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”
The LORD’s Promise of Mercy
16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
17“They will be my people,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” Malachi 3:13-18 NLT
You may be a bit like these and be forgetful of the fact that Jesus Christ died for your sin and you are a child of God. We get to looking at the world and all that has to be done. Or at least what WE think needs to be done for us. We take a minute or two for God and and then focus on us. REALIZE the truth of this passage from Malachi. All is being recorded or written down. Every day has task. Your number one task always is to honor the Lord. Putting Him first is the task for today.
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
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