If Not Today, When?

At the end of the Old Testament, God’s people had been released from generations of captivity. Nehemiah led them to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Ezra is attempting to lead them to rebuild their faith. Yet they are struggling to embrace the faith of their great grandparents.

They just don’t see God involved in their lives. They hear the prophets proclaim God’s love for them, but they don’t see it.

How are we more blessed than unbelievers?

Where is God when we are grieving, sick, broke, or brokenhearted?

In Malachi 1:2, God responds,

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?”

Through the rest of Malachi 1, God responds to their doubt. He tells them that he has kept their enemies at bay even as they failed to acknowledge Him. Then He addresses their practice of acknowledging Him only when they need something. He compares himself to a father, a master, and a governor.

He says they would honor a father, yet they don’t honor Him. They would fear a master, but they don’t fear Him. Then, after pointing out their meaningless religious rituals and offerings (they offer God what is left rather than their first and best), He asked them if they offered a governor what they offer Him if they would expect the governor’s favor. Of course, the answer is no.

He calls them on their weariness and boredom with worship. He is anything but a priority in their lives. Their worship is more obligation than gratitude. They bring their leftover energy, time, and gifts. Then they “snort” and complain about worship services.

God created man for relationship with Him. He wants to be at the center of our marriages, homes, communities… He wants to know and be known intimately by each of us. Yet, we’re so focused on the shallow, temporary, and visible, that we push the deep, eternal, and invisible to the periphery of our lives. We’re busy, and we offer God what we have left… when we remember.

Cain and Esau offered God their leftovers. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, while far from perfect, gave God their best. They continually sought to put God first, and He continually accepted and blessed them.

God wants to be the major character in our life stories. Though it’s easy to slip into making Him a minor character. We replace time alone with Him to go to the gym, work, or fishing. Our Bibles take their place with all the other unread books we own. Our daily thoughts, decisions, and actions betray our claims to follow Him. Our faith becomes more religious than relational.

Then with our backs against the wall, we cry, “Where are you?”

Yet minor characters don’t save the day.

The people of God in Malachi’s day wanted to live as though there was no God, until they needed something. Then they wanted a genie in a bottle. They wanted a cosmic pharmacist who was never in their homes, but just a call away… waiting to fill their self-prescribed better life.

It’s easy to find ourselves on the same path, giving God a bit of what we have left – a few minutes here, an hour there, a couple of bucks this week, a check after paying bills, a prayer before meals, perhaps a devotion when we have time…

Are you struggling to connect with God while you’re in a crisis?

Have you made God a minor character in your life story?

God loves you.

He is faithful.

He keeps His promises.

But He wants to be known, loved, and trusted, not just used. That takes intentional focus, especially when just starting or restarting.

God is eagerly waiting for his rightful place in your life, marriage, family, and friendships. Isn’t it time to put God where He belongs?

If not today, when?

Thanks for Reading,

John