ODJ: One Day, Every Nation

June 11, 2017 

READ: Malachi 1:6-14 

All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honour of my name. For my name is great among the nations (v.11).

One summer I spent a month in Bolivia, living with missionaries at a fledgling Bible school. Different jobs awaited me each day. Sometimes I cooked, cleaned or did laundry. But every day I worked on construction projects. I loved learning all of the different tasks (okay, not the laundry!). One day, a pair of missionaries from another religion came to the school to tell us about their beliefs and to challenge ours. The thought of answering their questions intimidated me. I put my head down and kept working while a friend talked with them. I remember thinking, “I’m glad I don’t have to do that job!”

The prophet Malachi also had a task most would not envy. His job was to speak to Judah about their complacency and sin. Who wouldn’t love to do that?! Judah had returned from exile, and although they were back in their homeland they had begun to separate themselves from God. They openly questioned His love for them (1:2), only to show their own waning affection by offering sacrifices that dishonoured Him (vv.6-10). They were supposed to represent God’s love to the world. Instead, they were lazy and corrupt.

Today’s passage is an unhappy one. It explains how Judah dishonoured God and broke their covenant relationship with Him. But these verses contain a truth about God that offers us hope: He’s committed to being known and worshipped in every nation (v.11).

God wants a relationship with all people: “God our Saviour . . . wants everyone to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Though we often hear of violence and war around the world, and though we’re likely to meet others who will challenge our faith, we can give our worries to God. Malachi reminds us that one day He will indeed be worshipped by every nation.

—Andy Rogers

365-day plan: Luke 2:21-39

MORE
My friend in Bolivia returned from the conversation smiling, glad to have shared his love for Jesus with the visitors. I learned something from him that day. Read 1 Peter 3:15 and consider how you would talk with someone about Christ. 
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What gives you encouragement to share your faith with others? What fears or concerns about doing so will you bring to Him today?