"Prove Me Now Herewith" (Malachi 3:10)

At the close of the Old Testament, Jehovah gave instructions to ancient Israel concerning the law of tithing. After explaining his expectations concerning this divine principle and asking "will a man rob God" the Savior extends a promise and invitation as he always does when we are asked to sacrifice on his behalf. "Prove me now herewith" he said "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." What a promise. What a profound statement by our caring and all-powerful Redeemer. Recently I have pondered on the Savior's choice of language in this verse. The words "Prove me now herewith" seem very unusual to me. I know of nowhere else in scripture where the Savior uses this phrase or one similar to it. In essence the Redeemer is inviting us to test him, to try his promises, to follow him and see if He will not open the floodgates of his goodness upon us. We are, in a very real way, being invited to become "doers of the word and not hearers only" then to stand back and "see the salvation of our God."

This statement and promise certainly can be applied to the law of tithing, as they are in this context. However, the Savior's promise could accurately be applied to each and every commandment, law or instruction he has ever given. This characteristic, this desire to bless and exalt us through his sacred power, is simply his nature. One cannot separate the Savior Jesus Christ from such virtues as compassion and goodness because he is the personification of those very traits. It is who he always has been, is today and always will be. One would be right to assume that we are asked to sacrifice or labor in the Master's vineyard not so much that we may learn of our own capacity but that we may learn of His capacity. Often those sacrifices require us to wade into desperate and perilous circumstances, but man's extremity is God's opportunity. Where man sees desperation God sees the blank canvas of creation. Always remember that before you and I even had a mortal home to come to, the Savior whose work this is could look upon a sea of black, inky nothingness and create something glorious and beautiful from it. He is a God of transformation and blessed exchanges. Water for wine. Desperation for hope. Transgression for purity. Sickness for health. Evil for good. Darkness for light. Death for life. All of these and more are offered at the hands of a Redeemer and King who says to us "Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father" (Enos 1:27).

I testify of the Savior’s eagerness to bless those who follow him in faith and of his infinite capacity to do so. We are the only obstacle to the blessings which could be ours. While it is true those blessings will be given in the way and at the time the Lord sees fit, for those who "are valiant in the testimony of Jesus" they will come and they will be more spectacular than mortal minds have the capacity to understand. Our Savior is the God of happy endings. His plan was created in order that we may receive all he has prepared for us, all that he has, and that we may witness his "power and great glory" in the process of receiving those blessings. To you and me the Savior and Redeemer of the World declares "Prove me now herewith…if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." That each of us may have greater faith in the promises of our Savior and increased hope in all he has prepared is my prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.