Daily Devotion

Dear Berean TEAM and Friends –

Malachi 3:13 says, “Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?”

Malachi warned Israel that they had been speaking “stout” or proud and haughty words against the Lord. These words caused them to say that “it is vain to serve God” (v. 14). It is never worthless to serve God (Ps 100:2). Some may observe that there are Godless folks in this world who don’t even serve the Lord, yet they have more and better possessions and seem to get along in life. However, as Asaph understood the “end” of the wicked in Psalms 73:17; it reveals that serving God is not vain, but is far better (1 Cor 15:58)! Intellectuals who use false science to teach that God is only a religious concept (1 Tim 6:20), may earn a lot of money down here; but they will be judged in Hell (Mt 25:41), if they reject Jesus as their Only Savior and Lord (Jn 12:48)! Don’t let the scholars fool you, when they use philosophy and vain deceit (Col 2:8), to overthrow the knowledge of God (2 Cor 11:13 15). The Christian’s success in serving God is not measured in dollars or profitability (Mk 8:36). There is nothing wrong with being materially rich; but when the love of money becomes your priority instead of God, then evil and wickedness would prevail in your life (1 Tim 6:10). A poor saved person is better than a very rich lost soul (Mk 10:25). God’s future rewards cannot be measured while we are here on earth (2 Cor 5:10). The rich and proud may be happy initially (v. 15). But without Jesus, in time, the object of their happiness shall fly away (Prov 23:5). True joy is from the Lord (1 Pet 1:8), even in the midst of trials and affliction (2 Cor 8:1-2). We should never speak evil against the Lord! We cannot just follow our own will and think that somehow, we are going to be better off (Prov 14:12). Because God’s way will always be the best way (Isa 55:8-9)! God bless you!

-Pastor Melito Barrera?