A Book of Remembrance

The Prophet Malachi gives us these words of the Lord, 

“¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. ¹⁷ ‘They will be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’ ¹⁸ So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him (Malachi 3:16-18NASB95).”

Prior to what was recorded in verses 16 through 18, the Lord accuses the people of turning from Him.  God declares that the people have set aside His word (Malachi 3:7).  The Father suggests that the people are robbing Him because their hearts are content with only bringing a portion of the tithe (Malachi 3:8-10).  The people are not willing to give themselves fully to the leading of God.  Finally, the Lord judges the people who have spoken arrogant words against faith (Malachi 3:14).  The Lord calls out their sin.  He states that the people declare it vanity to serve God.  The people see no value or profit in walking in obedience to the Lord.  The hearts of the people have turned to wickedness, rejecting His truth.  

Yet even in times of despair, God provides a blessing.  In the midst of the evil committed before the eyes of God, there was a remnant who feared the Lord.  Malachi tells us that the Lord turned His attention to those who spoke in reverence for the things of the Word.  A book of remembrance was written.  Those who sought holiness were recorded in this book.  Those who revered the name of the Lord were found in this book.  Those who remembered God’s Love for them, were likewise remembered in this book.  

God declares that those whose names are written in this book of remembrance, are His.  They are His treasured possession.  God will look favorably upon them, blessing them with His presence. For those who have chosen to remember the Lord, being written in the book of remembrance, God grants them with discernment.  God allows them to see the difference between the righteous and the wicked.  God empowers the people of remembrance to follow Him, escaping the judgement to befall the wicked.            Are you a people of remembrance?  Are you part of the remnant who fear the Name of the Lord?  Do you claim Jesus as your Lord, Savior, Redeemer and King?  Do you walk out your faith with integrity for His revealed Word?  If so, you are remembered.  The Lord your God speaks this promise over you, “¹⁷ ‘They will be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’ ¹⁸ So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him (Malachi 3:16-18NASB95).”  Cling to this promise.  Cling to the blessing spoken about you as a child who is remembered by an Almighty King!  Amen.