Cultivating A Heart Of Gratitude
Malachi 3:6-12 and Psalm 55 (NIV)
(Ng Chai Seng, Secretary, Local Church Executive Committee)
READ:
Malachi 3:6-12; Psalm 55 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Malachi 3 proclaims “God is the LORD Almighty” in verses 7, 10, 11 and 12. The LORD does not change (v6), He controls and sustains all things.
God delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. The Bible contains stories about His people, their encounter, God’s attributes and His marvellous work. He fulfils what He says in His Word. God is faithful, He keeps His promises. God redeemed the Israelites many times, yet they remained hard-hearted when faced with significant circumstances (v7a). In Malachi, the Israelites had returned from Babylonian exile. In verse 9, God says, “You are under a curse — your whole nation — because you are robbing me.”
God is merciful. Verse 7b beckons, ““Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.”
In Psalm 55, David cried out to the LORD, and was assured of God’s presence. God is accessible, He hears and answers prayer (v1-3), and He saves (v16). He is immutable, and He humbles those who seek Him (v19). He is trustworthy, so cast all our cares on the LORD, He will sustain us (v22-23).
APPLY:
Today’s reading reveals God’s attributes and His desires.
God the LORD is Almighty:
Malachi 3 presents such a big contrast between being cursed and blessed (v9, v12), between turning away from God and seeking to delight in the LORD. God does not change; He is gracious and merciful. “Robbing God” (v8) also relates to our giving to support the work and ministry of the local church. Let our pledges and offerings be pleasing before God with thanksgiving in our heart, for He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). God is promise-keeping, He performs greater and more wondrous things than what our mind can fathom – acknowledge our Almighty God.
God is the great Provider:
God provides (Malachi 3:10). Deuteronomy 8:10 says, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” These words to the Israelites remind us to be grateful to God for His gift of abundant life, and meeting us at our points of need – worship God and cultivate a heart of gratitude.
God is Accessible and Merciful:
“Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty (Malachi 3:7).
Psalm 55 shows us God is approachable; He listens to our cry; He protects (v8) and He saves (v16); return to Him with a contrite heart, He humbles those who seek Him (v19); God cares for us (v22); place our trust in Him (v23). David’s account affirmed that God is accessible – seek God with all our heart.
The Wesley Discipleship Model anchors on Scriptural Obedience (reading and living out the Bible) as one of the faith environments. The essence is to constantly consider God’s Word in our reading, so that we will remember God for Who He is, the LORD God Almighty.
DO:
- I will worship Almighty God with a grateful heart, and seek to fix my eyes on Him.
- I will reflect on the Scriptures and prayerfully let them guide the intentions of my heart.
PRAY:
Dear God, LORD Almighty, You are the great Provider. Thank You for reminding me to return to You and abide in You in scriptural obedience that I might remain in You and bear much fruit (John 15:5). Let me turn my eyes to You. Let me be grateful for all that You have provided. I trust in You (Psalm 55:23). Thank You for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.n!
