“The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us?”
Malachi 1:1-2a (KJV)
It is convicting that God would begin what is essentially a message of rebuke with a proclamation of His love for Israel. God’s love is a love of the most intense devotion; it is utterly unconditional. Yet, Israel responds flippantly to this loyal love in asking “Wherein (how) hast thou loved us?” This question would be more appropriate if it were posed to our fellow man because man is sinful and the quality of man’s love is not on par with God’s. We don’t always back up our proclamations of love with the actions that prove our loyal devotion to those whom we say we love. However, Israel made this same accusation against Jehovah God, the omnipotent Ruler of the universe. How it must have hurt the heart of God to see His love that He had shown for thousands of years consistently and arrogantly left unrequited.
Yet, in reality, we are not far from the Israelites. We may not necessarily lift up our voice to God and say, “Wherein hast thou loved us,” but every time we choose to live carnally as a believer, we have in essence asked this very question. Christian, how is your love life? I’m not talking about with your spouse, your family, or your friends. I’m asking about the status and quality of your love for the Savior–your Savior. Are you in fellowship with Him, or are you walking in the darkness of sin? Are you being faithful to Him in your service, giving, and witnessing? Are you daily in His Word and daily in prayer, seeking to know more about the One who loves you? May you and I seriously consider these questions and do business with God to get our hearts–our love–for Him renewed and restored to complete fervency and vigor.
Originally published under the title: “Devotional Thoughts from Malachi 1:1-2”