JANUARY 7, Malachi 1:6-8

Every child must honour and respect his father. He will seek to please his father and obey all that he has commanded. This is so as the godly father would have the best interests of the child in mind, and the child must always submit. Likewise, a servant must also obey and respect his master, for it is his master who is the superior one in their relationship. However, the people of God failed to honour God, who is both their Heavenly Father and Master. What was worse, even the priests, the spiritual leaders of Israel, were not doing the right things! The offerings they brought before the Lord were not the best they could afford — they brought the blind, the lame and the sick animals. This showed that they did not give their best to the Master.

How about us? Do we give our best to God? In what way can we give our best? Make sure you put aside enough time each day to read God’s Word, to learn from Him when reading your Junior RPG. Give your tithes and offerings to Him, give your time to help friends and make an effort to be kind and forgiving, for that is what Jesus would do. May we learn from the words of this hymn, ‘Give Of Your Best To The Master’.

Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor, Into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example, Dauntless was He, young and brave;

Give Him your loyal devotion; Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:

Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth;

Clad in salvation’s full armor, Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master; Give Him first place in your heart;

Give Him first place in your service; Consecrate every part.

Give, and to you will be given; God His beloved Son gave;

Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have.

Thought: Do I give my best to God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to learn how to give more and more of my life to You, for that is my reasonable service. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.