Lent 2024 | Day 30

By Janet Nygren
Day 30 (Tuesday, Mar 19)

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.¹

Pause and pray.

“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.” (Malachi 3:10)

Think about it.

We said last week that a love J-Curve starts from a place of confidence that God’s “got us.” This is as true regarding material goods as it is in trusting his actions on our behalf. So it is fitting for us to look at the only place in Scripture where God encourages us to test him, Malachi 3:10. As we’ve been reminded from Phil 3:10 numerous times, Jesus wants us to “know him” by entering into suffering. In this passage, God invites us to know him by risking our material resources and seeing how he comes through.

Consider.

Usually we are asked to give to satisfy a stated need. Then, because we care about what or who needs our help, or perhaps because we don’t like to say no, or perhaps out of guilt, we give something. We feel good that we are able to help. We prefer to be depended on than to be dependent. What is described in this passage is very different. There is a need in God’s house to support its priests and care for the needy. But that’s not the point. God wants us to know him–whether he is trustworthy, dependable, true to his word, generous, able to provide what we need. How well do you know God in this regard? Have you tested God with your material resources to the point where you will suffer if he doesn’t come through?

Pause and pray.

Jesus, help me have faith to follow where you lead.

“Give according to your income lest God make your income according to your giving.”
(Peter Marshall)

Notes

1.  Prayer used daily in Lectio365 found at https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/