warm-up

What is a brand or product you consistently trust and buy? What is your experience with it?

Have you ever bought something you wanted, but then it wasn’t what you expected? What happened?

Has anyone ever agreed to do something with you and then could not follow through with it? How did it make you feel?

word

“Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” Malachi 1:14

The people of Israel thought that as long as they were at least offering sacrifices, God should give them grace and favor. But their hearts were not right toward Him. Their sacrifices were faulty and defective, showing Him no respect and honor. God told His people to remember who He is—a great King, whose name is to be feared. He is above all, and He does not owe us anything. However, even with an unfaithful people, He remains a faithful God.

1
Unfaithful People

⁶“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ ⁷By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised.” Malachi 1:6,7

The people thought God would give them grace and favor because they were offering sacrifices. However, God was not accepting their offerings because they were just going through the motions. They forgot that the Lord of hosts is due honor, simply because of who He is. How does a son honor his father? How is God to be honored in our lives?

2
Faithful God

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:1

(Read Malachi 3:2-6.)

Even though His people were turning away from Him, God promised to reach out to them through two messengers who would prepare the way and turn the people's hearts back to Him. The first was John the Baptist, and the second was Jesus Christ (Luke 1:76; John 14:6). No matter what we do, or how unfaithful we are, God is faithful and makes a way for us to return to Him. What does Romans 5:1 say about Jesus Christ, the ultimate demonstration of God’s great love and faithfulness to us?

application

Do you believe God is a great and eternal King who deserves all the honor and praise from us? How will you respond to this truth, and live it out every day?1

How can you have a greater revelation of God’s faithfulness in your current situation? How can you shift your focus to Him and remember who He is from your past until today?

To whom can you share about God’s greatness and His love through Jesus Christ this week? What will you tell him or her?

prayer

Thank God for being a great and eternal King, and for His faithfulness to you, even when you've been unfaithful. Pray that you will respond to Him in love and obedience.

Ask God for a greater revelation of who He is. Pray that He will show you just how faithful He is and how He has sustained you.

Pray that you will speak of God’s greatness and faithfulness to a family member or friend this week.

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© 2017 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
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