When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord.Malachi 1:13
In the book of Malachi, God speaks directly to the priests — the holy ones — and condemns them for failing to honor Him. By allowing sacrifices that were less than the best. We live under the new covenant, but that should not be an excuse to not give God your best.
In particular, this message convicts of me of times I’ve been in a worship service and realized that my mind or heart is wandering away from God, while my lips are saying I want to be near Him.
God doesn’t need perfection. His son played that role. But he does desire the pure Gold of our authenticity and our full devotion to Him. I hear the Holy Spirit remind me, “Brian, give God your best. Not the best — you don’t have to compare with others. But bring your best. Offer it all in a spirit of worship, surrender and fear of a God who deserves the best of me. And then, it will be a worthy and pleasing sacrifice in His sight, and you will hear ‘well done, Good and faithful servant!'”