The One and Only Time
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:10–12
+
The One and Only Time
The Lord invites the people to “put Me to the test.” God’s challenge to the people is unusual—in fact, it is the only example in Scripture of God giving humans permission to test Him. He forbids such testing in Deuteronomy 6:16 and Matthew 4:7, and He condemns those who do test Him in Psalm 95:8–11. So Why would He do this here. God certainly knew the answer and the action He would take. In His love the pest that ravaged the land would flee, the dry and barren land would flourish as God sends the rain. And the land would be a delight to live in once again. For God does not abandon His people, but cares for them, loves them, which sometimes means discipline. But God, from the beginning, has always known how He would save you. And to accomplish this, He also does something one and only once. He sent His Son to be born of a virgin, to live a life incarnate here amongst His people, and then to suffer a humiliating and painful death on the cross, all so you might have life and have it in abundance. Christ Jesus died once for the sins of the world and rose triumphantly from the grave, so that we are now, through faith, reconciled to the Father.
Malachi 3:10–12
+
The One and Only Time
The Lord invites the people to “put Me to the test.” God’s challenge to the people is unusual—in fact, it is the only example in Scripture of God giving humans permission to test Him. He forbids such testing in Deuteronomy 6:16 and Matthew 4:7, and He condemns those who do test Him in Psalm 95:8–11. So Why would He do this here. God certainly knew the answer and the action He would take. In His love the pest that ravaged the land would flee, the dry and barren land would flourish as God sends the rain. And the land would be a delight to live in once again. For God does not abandon His people, but cares for them, loves them, which sometimes means discipline. But God, from the beginning, has always known how He would save you. And to accomplish this, He also does something one and only once. He sent His Son to be born of a virgin, to live a life incarnate here amongst His people, and then to suffer a humiliating and painful death on the cross, all so you might have life and have it in abundance. Christ Jesus died once for the sins of the world and rose triumphantly from the grave, so that we are now, through faith, reconciled to the Father.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in Christ
2024
January
The Lord Keeps for HimselfAll Day LongFaith Comes By HearingSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out