In the past few days we have been looking at Malachi 3 and have seen in verses one to five that those who are serious about the Lord will be purified by means of applying and obeying the Word of God and being tested on it. The purpose of this is so the Lord could have people who would offer themselves in righteousness.
In verses eight to twelve we have learned that giving is more than a tenth of our financial income. We need to give cheerfully and abundantly from all we have, inclusive of our Romans 12:6-8 gifts, as we have decided in our hearts. The return for us would not be earthly prosperity as such, but provision for our needs so we can give even more and the reward would be a heavenly treasure. The devourer in our case robs us of our heavenly rewards by keeping us involved with ungodly, earthly and materialistic pursuits, which cause us to be disobedient to the Holy Spirit’s desires for our lives.
Malachi 3:13-15: “‘You have said harsh things against me,’ says the Lord. ‘Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
‘You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’’”
Isn’t this what we often say: My prayers bounce against the ceiling, does God even care, God is too busy with others to care for me, why does these evil people get away with so much, whilst I as a Christian suffer, etc? Our problem is we focus on ourselves, our needs and our circumstances, i.e. on material and earthly things instead of on the eternal life and our heavenly fruit. We need to learn to look beyond the physical and see what the Lord’s plans and destiny for us are. This world is only temporary and the more we suffer here for Jesus’ sake, the greater our rewards in heaven will be (Matthew 5:11-12 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:11-12&version=NIV1984).
Malachi 3 concludes with these very intimate words: “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name. ‘They will be mine,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not,’” (Verses 16-18).
Take a few moments to ponder about it. Are you one of those who talk with one another? Will you be on that scroll of remembrance? Those who fear the Lord are those to whom the Lord is everything, those to whom the Lord takes first place in their lives and who seek His guidance for their lives. They are those who disregard this present life’s comforts and distractions for the sake of getting done for the Kingdom what they can whilst it is still day. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work,” (John 9:4).
Can you sense how vital it is to the Lord that people are holy - separated for Him? This whole chapter is a yearning of God for people that would forget about themselves and serve Him and Him alone. He wants to see the clear distinction between those who actually serve Him and those who just hang onto him for their own comfort.
“Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it,” (Mathew 7:14).
To be fair, as humans we do need relaxation after a hard day or week or year of being obedient, but our focus and aim should be as discussed in the last few messages.
After a hard life of obedience the end is sweet though. Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing,” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8).
Lord, please help me to be among those who fear you?
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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