Malachi 2:1-2—“And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor My name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor Me.”
The calling of the priest is fraught with danger. And who are the priests?—all of God’s children (1Peter 2:5)! But in this case I refer to those who serve in any Christian organization in a position of authority. We ought to be in constant prayer for them. Most begin their spiritual service with a sense of anticipation for their desire is to please their Savior. So long as they hunger to hear His voice and avoid a complacent quotidian love they will do fine.
We must hold those who lead accountable for their walk with God. For as surely as that union wavers trouble will follow. What happens is not hard to understand. The subtle day arrives when God’s servant falls more in love with what he or she does than with the One being served. The office or organization becomes the source and place of fulfillment. The leader is seduced by the admiration of people, the power, the constant high of standing in front. This euphoria crushes the need to spend time in prayer, and spoils the appetite for holy private communion with God, Who is replaced by righteous busyness.
One cannot live for the organization and remain true to the Vine. The former will suck the very life blood of its beholder. God may actually curse the blessings because they no longer have anything to do with Him. Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor if He would worship him. Jesus said, “Away from me, Satan! . . . Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:9,10).
Some of the most bitter people I know are those who sacrificially gave their all to being chairman of the board, leading worship, pastoring or administrating. How can this be? If their heart was given to an organization they were doomed to disappointment for organizations are made of fallible people. In contrast, there is no trace of bitterness in those who suffer repeated defeat in battle whose hearts are set fully on knowing Jesus. Those who make Him Lord rise with joy and go to bed content in the assurance that what matters most is not the organization, not the position held, not the progress attained or the status achieved but rather a vibrant relationship with Almighty God.
Inspiration
