Malachi 1:13-14 (ESV)

[13] But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. [14] Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Earlier, in Malachi 1:10, God sighs, “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!” Why would God want the sacrifices stopped? Because no sacrifice is better than sacrifice that is burdensome, man-focused, and insincere. The people were bringing inferior, sick, and lame animals as offerings to God. They were viewing the sacrifices as another burdensome activity to get through. They were not worshiping.

It makes me wonder about our own worship. Do we come dragging in late, distracted, uninterested, and out of obligation? Or do we come together with hearts eager to meet with God? Ultimately the depth and power or our worship services is not dependent on the worship leader, the music chosen, or the effective planning of the worship team. Worship is about the heart. How might our corporate worship times look different if we came together with hearts inclined to bow the knee before the King and truly worship, not just go through the motions?