Daily Scripture

Malachi 1:6–8

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.

What is the quality of our sacrifice to the Lord? 

When speaking to the Jews, the Lord said, “You understand the concept of honoring your earthly fathers. You even understand the importance of honoring masters. If you offered the governor of your earthly realm a blemished gift, how would he respond? Then why not honor me?”

In their day, they dishonored Him by offering less than their best for the animal sacrifices required in the law of Moses. They would choose lame, blind animals to fulfill the requirement—not out of love or reverence, but out of obligation. 

In our day, we don’t offer animals. But what is the quality of our sacrifice? Our Heavenly Father offered the best He had, our perfect Savior, to atone for our utter lack. 

The thing He asks of us is to give our best back. He knows what that is. He doesn’t ask more than we can give. He doesn’t compare our best to someone else’s best. But He does ask us to give our best in remembrance of His Son. 

It’s our token that we acknowledge the great and infinite sacrifice that was given for us. When I am tempted to give less or complain that He asks a lot, I only need remember what He, the Father, willingly gave for me to come home. 

My best is not too much to ask. In fact, my best doesn’t even come close to being enough. In humble adoration, I give thanks to God that He takes my best and compensates me with infinite mercy to make up the difference. 

I will gladly give. 

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