Giving God our Best
Pastor Chuck Swindoll made the following observation about our culture: “Mediocrity is fast becoming the by-word of our times. Every imaginable excuse is now used to make it acceptable, hopefully preferred.” Those words were penned in 1987 and are as relevant today as they have ever been.
What has happened to our commitment to excellence? Is the status quo now the new acceptable standard? Is the small stuff nothing really to sweat about? Are we now willing to swim with the current and float downstream? Is it okay to just get by with a half-hearted commitment?
Our God is a God of excellence and He has always given His best to us. Christmas is a celebration of God’s indescribable best. Jesus Christ, His perfect, only-begotten, glorious gift to a world of “let’s go with the flow” sinners. As God reminds us, “…together they have become useless; there is no one who does good, there is not even one”(Romans 3:12)
When God spoke to His priests in Malachi, He confronted their mediocrity and casual shortcut-type ministry life and approach. They ignored God’s specific expectations and created their own second-rate ministry.
Take a read of nine verses in Malachi 1 (v. 6–14) and let God’s uncomfortable truth sink into your heart. It will remind you of at least two important truths.
God deserves and declares the very best. He asked the priests several pointed questions (v. 6: “Where is My honor?”; “Where is My respect?”) and several clear declarations (v. 14: “I am a great King” and “my name is feared among the nations”). It’s obvious that our Lord deserves the very best because He is the very best. There is no One greater, higher, or better.
God demands and determines the very best. The priests were required to offer only unblemished sacrifices (Deuteronomy 15:21; Leviticus 22:20-25), but they were offering the “defiled,” “blind,” “lame,” and “sick” (vs. 7–8, 13) and God called this “evil” (v. 8). God wants us to pay attention to the specific things He expects, the small things He expects, and the same things He continues to expect.
God has the best what: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20).
God has the best why: “Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
God has the best when: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7–8).
God has the best where: “…keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1–2).
God has the best how: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
God has the best who: “…and there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none except Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:21–22).
There are six words you never want to hear from the Lord, “I am not pleased with you” (Malachi 1:10).
As we celebrate God’s very best to and for us, how should we think about what it means to give our very best in return?
God deserves better, doesn’t He? No, He really deserves the best, our very best!
Pastor Jeff