‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’ (v10) Malachi 3:6–12
Disobedience is more often a result of neglect than deliberate intention. Life is all-consuming, with many legitimate demands on our time and energy. Our heart is for God, but we’re simply overwhelmed.
The good news is that God is consistent, and invites us, whenever we can, to make our approach. The little we invest will return to us a harvest that not only satisfies our own needs but replenishes our energy so that we have sufficient to support and encourage others.
One reason I break my day up with short times of prayer is to remind myself that without God I can only fail myself, my family and friends. These breaks are no longer than a few minutes. I have a set series of prayers that I repeat. This is my refreshment; a reminder that without God I can do nothing (John 15:5).
As we take time for replenishment, much like our refreshment and meal breaks, we renew our spiritual strength and refocus on the one whom we serve, the source of all life. Consequently, we are reminded of the blessing that is ours daily in Christ Jesus.
If we regularly carry our thanks to God, we shall replenish a storehouse from which we can draw encouragement and hope in difficult times. Failure to do so may mean that, at the point of our greatest need, we might have no resources to draw on.
RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Lev. 26:1–13; Psa. 34:8–14; Joel 1:11–20; 1 Pet. 3:8–12.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Consider how you can create touchpoints with God throughout your day, and store up blessings by offering thanks to God regularly.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, I enthusiastically praise You at all times; Your praise will always be on my lips as I will continually glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Amen.’ (based on Psa. 34:1–2)
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