Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says Yahweh of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and empty out for you a blessing until it is beyond enough.”
This week I was reading a selection (July 27) from Steams in the Desert regarding this passage in Malachi. Here is what Cowman wrote …
What is God saying here but this: “My child, I still have windows in Heaven. They are yet in service. The bolts slide as easily as of old. The hinges have not grown rusty. I would rather fling them open, and pour forth, than keep them shut, and hold back. I opened them for Moses, and the sea parted. I opened them for Joshua, and Jordan rolled back. I opened them for Gideon, and hosts fled. I will open them for you—if you will only let Me. On this side of the windows, Heaven is the same rich storehouse as of old. The fountains and streams still overflow. The treasure rooms are still bursting with gifts. The lack is not on MY side. It is on yours. I am waiting. Prove Me now. Fulfill the conditions, on your part. Bring in the tithes. Give Me a chance.”
I love that.
But here is what got me; she went on to talk about how her mother would paraphrase the passage …
The verse begins, “Bring ye the whole tithe in,” and it ends up with “I will pour” the blessing out till you’ll be embarrassed for space. Her paraphrase was this: Give all He asks; take all He promises.”
Did you catch that … “till you’ll be embarrassed for space.”
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thought to pursue Christ, to “test Him in this,” and find yourself embarrassed for space of the blessing He’d pour out.
While this is in the context of tithe, the principle holds true for His presence.
We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that God is a “rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.”
The reward is not riches, long life, or removal of difficulty; rather, the reward is the very One we seek: Jesus. God Himself is the reward.
May I encourage you to “test Him in this” and “diligently seek” after Him … and find that the blessing of His presence is so great that “you’ll be embarrassed for space.”
I want that in my life. And I want that in yours as well.
Know I am praying for you and cheering you ever deeper into the amazing fullness of Christ!
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