It is indeed a great blessing to freely gather together and worship God. To fully receive this blessing we must consider our own responsibility in the assembly of God's church. In the book of Malachi, the final book of the Old testament, we are reminded of the fact that throughout time God has never given less than His best for His children. From creation itself, all the way through time, to this next Sunday when His church gathers to worship, God has poured His best out upon the children He loves.
Malachi, the prophet, wrote that people had figured it cost them far less to put a lame lamb upon the altar rather than to offer the best of the flock. After everything that God has done, this was the best that people could bring, the sick and lame from among their flocks? Listen to God's heart break as He proclaims through the prophet: "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! - Malachi 1:10 - take some time and read for yourself this powerful account in Malachi 1. As we gather to worship God our responsibility is to kindle a useful fire on the altar of worship by bringing God our best - our heart, mind, soul and strength - all our best to kindle a useful flame of worship. This not a performance issue, this is an issue of motives.
After God spoke through the prophet Malachi He was silent for hundreds of years. No prophets proclaiming the Word, no signs or wonders, no manna from heaven, no water from rocks, God was silent. The people God loved had chosen to keep the best for themselves and to bring God the weakest and cheapest lambs they could - and then they waited for God's response - but God was silent - for hundreds of years they waited and God remained silent. Keep that in mind as you read the next thing they heard God proclaim to all people;
"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:8-10
God brought His best lamb. May we do the same, may we give Him our best praise. May we bring all of out heart, soul, mind and strength to the altar of God. I can't wait to gather with the church next week and give God our best praise. May God be glorified in it.
