Bible Explorer for the Young (Malachi)Sample

Respect and Love

Malachi 1:2

The Lord said, “I love you people.”

When God told His people “I love you, people”, He really meant it. He really showed and expressed His love to His people with respect, action, and sacrifice. However, His children did not do the same. 

The Israelites might say they trusted and worshipped God but their action said the opposite. Israel showed disrespect for God and yet He continued to be patient with them. His people, whom He loved and chose, neglected Him and brought Him sacrifices of animals that were hurt, crippled, and sick. They gave God the leftover animals, not the best.

Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love. Respect in a relationship with God is reflected in how we treat God on a daily basis. We must consistently give God our best, not our leftover time or effort. He wants us to bring our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him, in every day of our lives. 

When we start to treat God as if He were not there or when our thoughts, words, and actions go against God’s words, it is time we repented. Let’s give our best to Him always in the way we think, speak and act. 

Prayer

Dear God, I want my life to be a living sacrifice where my thoughts, words, and actions respect You and reflect Your love to others. Amen.