Nov 1, 2026 | Ptr Peter Tanchi
Malachi speaks to people who had returned from exile. The temple had been rebuilt and sacrifices had resumed, yet the people were discouraged. Their religious activities continued, but their hearts were far from God. They questioned His love and failed to see how they dishonored Him.
GOD LOVES YOU
Malachi begins with God’s declaration: “I have loved you,” but the people respond, “How have You loved us?” (Malachi 1:2). Their question reveals how spiritually insensitive they had become. God had shown them love, yet they could no longer recognize it.
We too can become unaware of God’s love. Pain, financial struggles, betrayal, or painful family experiences can make us wonder whether He cares. Those who grew up with absent or abusive parents may find it difficult to believe God truly loves them. But His love is not based on whether we deserve it. He loves us because of who He is. He declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
God reminded Israel of His choice of Jacob over Esau (Malachi 1:2–5). This language is comparative: God’s covenant love for Jacob and his descendants was distinct. Jesus used similar comparative language when He taught that anyone who loves family more than Him cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:26; Matthew 10:37). He was not commanding us to mistreat our families, but teaching that our loyalty to Him must come first.
Esau traded his birthright for a meal because he valued immediate satisfaction over something with lasting significance (Genesis 25:29–34; Hebrews 12:16–17). He made a choice with serious consequences. Ask yourself: What is your “bowl of soup”? Is it pleasure, money, pride, or something that tempts you to trade eternal value for temporary satisfaction? Do not exchange your future for a moment of pleasure.
God’s love is also redemptive. He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:5–6). His correction is not proof that He has abandoned us. It is an expression of His care, calling us to wake up, grow, and make choices that honor Him. Therefore, do not judge God’s love by your circumstances. Instead, view your circumstances in light of who God is.
HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BEST If God loves us, how should we respond? We honor Him with our best. Malachi confronted the priests because they offered blind, lame, and sick animals instead of sacrifices worthy of God (Malachi 1:6–8). They would not have presented such gifts to their governor, yet they offered them to the Lord.
Their offerings exposed their hearts. They were going through religious motions while treating God with contempt (Malachi 1:9–10). Honoring God is more than attending worship or appearing religious. It means pleasing Him in private and in public.
What we believe about God shapes our values and actions. Believing He is good and loves us should lead us to trust and obey Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our love for God should shape how we treat others, conduct relationships, and make choices. We cannot honor Him while deliberately disobeying Him.
Jesus quoted Isaiah about people who honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him (Mark 7:6–8). God wants our hearts. He wants sincere worship, willing obedience, and joyful service. The priests in Malachi’s time complained that serving God was tiresome and treated their ministry as a burden (Malachi 1:12–14). We should not serve resentfully, but gladly give God our best.
David understood this when he refused to offer to the Lord something that cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). Our best is not measured against others, but offered sincerely from the heart.
BE READY FOR HIS COMING TODAY
Paul urges believers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer their bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). He wants more than our money, Sunday attendance, or a portion of our time. He wants our whole lives.
Do not postpone serving God until retirement or until life becomes more convenient. Give Him your best years and your best today. Tomorrow is not promised. As the prophet Amos warns, “Prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12).
Preparation takes time. We do not study for an examination only the night before or begin training on competition day. Readiness for Christ’s return is built through daily faithfulness. We cannot wait until the day He comes to begin living for Him.
God loves you. Honor Him with your best. Give Him your heart, your choices, your time, and your life. Do not settle for going through the motions. Start today, and live each day ready to meet the Lord.