Text: Malachi 2:13-17
Memory verse:
”They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As a son doesn’t serve his father to gain his acceptance, for he is already accepted, so we don’t serve God to gain His acceptance, but we are accepted so we can serve God. Similarly, as a son who serves his father well is favoured and rewarded, so it is with us as God’s sons. Though we have been accepted to serve God, we are rewarded when our service is well pleasing to Him.
”…And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.”(Mal‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬). The Good News Bible puts it this way, “.., I will be merciful to them as parents are merciful to the children who serve them.”
Let’s consider two more things that will make your service acceptable.
Our service must be guided by His word if it must be well pleasing to Him. The word of God furnishes us with the expected behaviours in every relationship. Service to Him must be done in His own terms and not in ours. Our relationship with God can’t be fractionalized. We can’t be unfaithful in our marital relationship and then come to church to act so spiritual! You may actually do, but God won’t recognize such service. For example, God will reject any service rendered to Him when a spouse neglects his or her marital duties under the excuse of serving God in other capacities. (‭‭Mal‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CEV).‬‬
Next, you must serve God under authority, and any service that is done outside authority is regarded as rebellion to God. God is authority in Himself, and rebellion against authority is regarded as a sin against Him. Rebellion against His delegated authority is tantamount to rebellion against God. It doesn’t matter how wonderful that service may be, God is not pleased with such services. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, died while serving. They took over the role, which was not theirs, serving outside authority. God regards such service as strange fire (Lev 10:1).
Saul disobeyed God’s instructions, for he thought sacrifice would cover up for his disobedience. God is more pleased with obedience than sacrifice. “Samuel said, “Which does the LORD prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey Him than to sacrifice the best sheep to Him” (1 Sam 15:22).
Friends, through service, you can provoke generational blessings. Receive grace to serve God aright in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, I receive grace to serve You in Your own terms in all my services, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, please deliver me from the tendency to be rebellious and help me to serve You under authority, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I desire God’s reward, so I don’t serve God in my own terms.
2. I know that God doesn’t accept services rendered outside authority.