AUGUST 31 - MALACHI’S CHARGE
READ Malachi 3
Malachi charges the Israelites with robbing God and refusing to acknowledge it.
INSIGHT
The Israelites who returned to Jerusalem have grown comfortable, complacent, and arrogantly insensitive. Through His messenger Malachi, God confronts the Israelites with their complacency. He charges that the priests are despising His name and defiling His altar. God says He will no longer accept their offerings. He states that the Israelites have been wearisome to Him with their words. God asks them to return to Him. He reproaches them for robbing Him. The Israelites have hardened their hearts, and they no longer feel the pull of God in their lives. The result is a barren period of 400 years prior to the preaching ministry of John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus. Be certain that you respond to the work of God in your heart—lest you experience spiritual barrenness.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord for enriching our lives when we follow Him: Lord, there is no one like you!
For you are great,
And your name is full of power.
Who would not fear you,
O King of nations?
That title belongs to you alone!
Among all the wise people of the earth
And in all the kingdoms of the world,
There is no one like you (Jeremiah 10:6-7).
Pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin:
From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
Who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
That we might learn to fear you
(Psalm 130:1-4).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Offer this closing prayer to God:
May the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).
Malachi charges the Israelites with robbing God and refusing to acknowledge it.
INSIGHT
The Israelites who returned to Jerusalem have grown comfortable, complacent, and arrogantly insensitive. Through His messenger Malachi, God confronts the Israelites with their complacency. He charges that the priests are despising His name and defiling His altar. God says He will no longer accept their offerings. He states that the Israelites have been wearisome to Him with their words. God asks them to return to Him. He reproaches them for robbing Him. The Israelites have hardened their hearts, and they no longer feel the pull of God in their lives. The result is a barren period of 400 years prior to the preaching ministry of John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus. Be certain that you respond to the work of God in your heart—lest you experience spiritual barrenness.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord for enriching our lives when we follow Him: Lord, there is no one like you!
For you are great,
And your name is full of power.
Who would not fear you,
O King of nations?
That title belongs to you alone!
Among all the wise people of the earth
And in all the kingdoms of the world,
There is no one like you (Jeremiah 10:6-7).
Pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin:
From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
Who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
That we might learn to fear you
(Psalm 130:1-4).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Growth as you pursue your full potential as a child of God
- The fulfillment of the Great Commission
- Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to God:
May the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.