You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ Malachi 1.13

While meditating on the book of the prophet Malachi, I began to admire its message even more. Though the Temple of Solomon was rebuilt at this time, most of the people of Israel and their priests were corrupt and began to give flawed offerings, which represented their own lives, and showed no reverence to God.

The rebuilding of the Temple certainly brought much joy to everyone. But as time passed, they realized the Temple brought a need for greater sanctification and obedience, which was something this generation had never experienced. I believe God allowed the reconstruction of the Temple for this reason, since it brought His people closer to Him.

At first it was all very special, and both – God and His people – were receiving due honors. The people honored God with obedience, which was expressed through their flawless tithes and offerings, and God honored the people with peace and prosperity.

Then, after some time, a problem surfaced: weariness!

It was not a physical, but spiritual weariness. You know that thing where you have to pay tithe of EVERYTHING all the time, give the PERFECT offering all the time and, even more, BE the tithe and offering that is placed over the Table of the Lord all the time?

What at first – during their first love and first faith – was done without complaints, with pureness and joy (Psalm 100.2), became a very heavy burden.

The result was visible: tithes were not returned and imperfect offerings were given!

God then complains about the lack of consideration, respect and intelligence of His people, who forgot that the success they achieved came from Him, honoring them for what they had done correct in the past. God no longer honored them and the people suffered due to this.

While meditating on what causes a person to get “tired” of doing the right thing, of doing what pleases God and doing what brings God’s honor to their life, I concluded that there is only one reason for this: the lack of Salvation in a person’s heart!

When a person is saved, and Salvation means a life that pleases and serves God for all Eternity or the end of time, the real candidate for this “Honor of all honors” should feel privileged for being who he is and doing what he does for God, and he should even aspire for more responsibilities as long as he is alive.

Everything should be received with joy and done in the faith that responsibilities come with conditions. Going to Church often, evangelizing, tithing, presenting perfect offerings (always the best – regardless of the monetary value), participating in campaigns of faith, forgiving, loving everyone (even those who hate us) and obeying God are things that do not cause those who are already living Eternity with God by faith to grow weary.

And, in the worst scenario, if you do become “weary”, the Word of God says: He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40.29-31

Be strong my friends!!!