In the devotional book “My Utmost for His Highest,” Oswald Chambers reminds us of our purpose. A devotional entry titled “Destined to be Holy,” Chambers wrote the following.
“We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.”[1]
Chambers was born in 1874 and died in 1917. Admittedly this was a dynamic time historically. This period in history finds itself in what is considered the industrial revolution. There were enormous innovations developed during this period that forever changed industry, education and culture. It is not surprising then to read Chamber’s warning of the distractions of everyday life.
I wonder what he may think if given the opportunity to view the world as we dwell in it this day. We live in a world that is almost nothing but distraction. We can be entertained by various forms of media twenty-four hours a day continually for the remainder of our lives, if we so choose. We are inundated both visually and auditorily with external stimulation being projected upon us. At no other point in history did the human race need to sort through the plethora of stimulation as we do today.
Not only is it disturbing to recognize the breadth of distraction we wade through on a daily basis, it is all the more disturbing if we consider the content of most of the distractions offered by the secular world. The world we live in celebrates depravity with unprecedented fervor. The warning offered by the prophet Isaiah made reality before our very eyes.
“20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21 NASB95)!”
It is this day that the words of Oswald Chambers are all the more vital for us to consider. He offers this encouragement as stated earlier. “The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.” Without a right relationship with our Almighty Creator, we are lost to a dismal existence. Apart from God we are condemned in a world of temporal pleasures that will never be fully satisfied as our sinful nature is never content with just enough. Therefore make an effort to be set apart. To be holy as our God is Holy. Our faith in Jesus as our Savior grants us access to a choice. Salvation sets us free from slavery to the sin nature. In this freedom, we are given a choice. We are destined to choose. Do you choose complacency with a world that is rife with evil and set to suffer the wrath of the Almighty or do you choose to step out of the desert and into the promise?
[1] Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest (Discovery House. Grand Rapids, MI 2015)
Integrity seems to be a condition of being that is becoming lost in our current culture. We appear to be slowly drifting away from walking as people who cling to integrity. Choosing rather to be guided by pride, greed, lust or selfish ambition. The exaltation of the self is the goal in a world that does not cherish the instruction found in God’s Holy Word.
The Lord calls us to be a people of integrity. The Lord encourages us in His Word,
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them (Proverbs 11:1-3 NASB95).”
I have attached a Scriptural word study regarding the term integrity. It is in PDF format that can be downloaded and printed. I attached it for your use in the hope that it will be a blessing to those who work through the study. I pray that the Lord equips you to walk in faith with integrity as we humbly seek out His counsel. We need it, this is certain.
Please feel free to share the study as the Lord leads. Also take the time to visit my website corbyshuey.com for additional books and Bible studies. Lastly, I used the NASB95 translation of our Bible to write the study. Wording may have slight variation in other translations.
In the Name of our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!
14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his. 15 The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps. 16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. 17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated. 18 The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge. (Proverbs 14:14-18 NASB95)
A few weeks ago I used the term entropy in a sermonto discuss a choice that we all must make in our walk of faith. I explained that entropy is a physics term that describes the regression of matter and energy toward disorder.[1] Over the course of time, both matter and energy trend toward disorder unless acted upon by a higher authority. I made this comparison to comment on the trend that is found in our fallen state as humanity. We can trend toward disorder if the sin nature is left unchecked. We as people who are free to function according to our sin nature will regress, perpetually toward disorder, chaos and sin. Progressively do we regress toward greater calamity. It is therefore vital that we press into God as the only source of immutable truth, order and encouragement. Faith in God will always build us up and establish us upon a firm foundation (Matt 7:24-26).
In the verses I quoted from the book of Proverbs, Solomon is talking about this natural trend toward disorder in humanity as we struggle against the influence of temptation and sin. Solomon makes a stark comparison between one who strives to seek God and one who allows entropy or the regression to be a predominant influence in their lives. Solomon speaks of the backslider in heart and the one who is naïve. The backslider in heart is one who should know better, yet they allow themselves to fall prey to regression and conformity with this world. The naïve is one who believes everything but takes no firm position on anything. In both cases they will be given the fill of themselves. Regression toward chaos in the exaltation of the self as the self becomes the source of personal authority. Entropy and disorder is received because the immutability of God’s Word is rejected. Foolishness and carelessness characterize those who fall victim to progressive regression.
Sin is regression. Sin is conformity. Sin is a passive choice. It is without effort that we allow ourselves to fall victim to sin because a natural trend in the fallen state of our nature as humanity resonates with sinfulness. Entropy, regression and falling away from the things of God are easy. It takes not effort to regress. Nothing is added, improved or enhanced in regression. There is only loss. Progressive regression is passive gravitation toward conformity. Regression toward conformity with a world that is choosing to run toward darkness, unreservedly. Progressive regression is conformity with the sin nature. Conformity with sin comes easily for those who reject the truth of God’s Word.
On the other hand, those who strive to seek God will walk with caution and turn from evil. They will be equipped with knowledge and determination to stand firmly planted upon the Word of truth. God will build up. He will impart to us discernment and knowledge leading us to be able to stand firmly on a foundation that will not be shaken. Those who choose to walk in faith with God will be in covenant with a King who has overcome.
Matter naturally regresses into chaos without the intervention of a higher authority. As matter regresses, so too can we (metaphorically) regress if we are not pressing into God. If we reject seeking out His righteousness, we can trend toward disorder. Faith is not a passive choice. To choose faith requires an active, determined choice to cling to the truth of His Word. Faith is then a choice that we must make. Faith is not found in passivity or conformity to the culture. Faith is not the product of progressive regression toward disorder. Faith is deliverance from chaos. Our Savior delivers us from sin. Therefore, I pray that you choose faith. I pray that you choose to be a disciple of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that you allow Him to equip you to actively follow your Messiah as He leads you according to His will. This is not passive, rather it is a faith that is alive and thriving. To God be the glory!
“42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:42-49 NASB).”
There is much to unpack in this passage of Scripture. I cannot elaborate on all that Paul talks about given the format of this letter. As I read these verses, there is one pronouncement that the Holy Spirit spoke, clearly to me through this exhortation by the Apostle Paul.
These verses, and really the entirety of 1 Corinthians 15, proclaim confidence in the Lordship of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus has the power to save. He is the first born of the dead; the last Adam, the only One in whom we can find life, eternal. He has the authority to bring hope to the perishable. He alone holds the capacity to raise the weak, making them strong. He gives honor to those who are dishonored, mercy to the meek. He pours out His love, unconditionally, to those cry out for a Savior. He gives His peace to the broken, offering them rest. He imparts upon us, His righteousness making us a people who bear His image. We are a testimony of His legacy of redemption and hope to a world that is suffering.
Have confidence, therefore, and know that He is our God (Psalm 46:10). He is with us! He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6). He gives us this promise so that we can confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper, and I will not be afraid (Hebrews 13:6). “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).” Brothers and Sisters, we dwell in the pasture of a King reigning over an eternal Kingdom!
As the prophet Isaiah writes in this promise that is for now as well as for a time that is yet to come.
“15 Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field, And the fertile field is considered as a forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness And righteousness will abide in the fertile field. 17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever 18 Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places (Isaiah 32:15-18 NASB).”
This promise is for now because we are indwelt by His Spirit of Righteousness. He has set a place for us at His table and He offers us rest in our time of distress (Psalm 23). Yet this promise is also for a time to come as we look forward to the day when the King of Peace will crack the sky with a trumpet blast declaring final victory over the enemies of righteousness. Hallelujah, praise to our King! We are His now and forever! Have confidence and be at peace, because He is our God, AMEN!
“7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:14-19 NASB95).”
The title of this writing was inspired by a devotion written by Charles Spurgeon. In this devotion, Spurgeon makes the comment, Christians, meditate often on heaven. He makes this comment as he contemplates the temporal nature of this life and the eternal promises of the life to come. The exhortation to the reader being that of clinging to hope and expectation for the fullness of the Lord’s promises.
I find it fitting to be reminded of our eternal home. So often in this life we are bogged down with the trials of the everyday. We have tasks to accomplish and work to be done. The more we work to get the list of things done in the day seems to give way only to additions to the list of tasks yet to be finished. The repetition of the day can be draining.
The verses above taken from the book of 1 John serve as a reminder of where our faith should be. John encourages us to know that God is love. And in this love, Jesus came to us in order to Redeem us. John refers to us as beloved, and this we are. We are beloved children of an Almighty Father. As God loved us, so too should we love one another.
Abide in love and we abide in God. Let your mind dwell on His love for you. Abide in Him and by this, love is perfected. His love causes us to be lifted up in faith bringing confidence in His promises. Cling to the Salvation that He offers, because in love there is no fear. Our faith restores us into His hands of protection. Therefore Christians, meditate often on the things of heaven.
The title of the book, Deuteronomy, sounds foreign to the English speaking ear. The title of the book is based on a transliteration of a word originally taken from an early Greek rendering of our Bible. The original Greek title reads as follows, Deuteronomion. This term is made up of two Greek words: deutero, meaning second and nomos meaning law. The book was given this name by early Greek translators because they saw the book as a repetition of the instructions Moses gave earlier in Scripture.
While the title of the book Deuteronomy bears the marks of Greek influence, it was originally written in Hebrew. The actual, Hebrew title of the book is: דְּבָרִים (devarim). This Hebrew word simply means words. They referred to the book of Deuteronomy as devarim (words). They saw the book as instruction, inspiration and encouragement from a loving God, devarim. As I thought on the title devarim, I was inspired to ponder the miracle of words. The Lord inspired the following:
Devarim, “words,” sounds uttered through the vocal cords or lines configured in a discernable pattern often found suspended on the surface of paper. To convey meaning through the matrix of words seems so mundane. It is commonplace to speak or write our thoughts to another. More often than not we do not even take the time to recognize that we have the ability to convey meaning through words. Communicating is almost reduced to simply another natural body function that appears to happen as a result of life.
In this process of conveying meaning through words, we expect our message to be understood by our audience. Maybe the term expect is too strong a description, presuppose might be better. In our words, we presuppose that whomever our audience may be a general understanding of our message is comprehended. In our presupposition, the conveyance of meaning is assumed by the author of the words. Whether in written form or in speech, we utter decipherable bits of information that can be received and interpreted. Our words can be concrete, carrying a direct message. Our words can also be completely abstract allowing understanding to be left to context and emotion. Words can be powerful enough to drive men to achieve the apex of human greatness yet at the same time, those same words can drive men to perform the most heinous acts. Words can be heard and believed or they can be completely ignored as they fall upon those who choose to remain intentionally deaf.
What fleeting attention we give to our words. Like dust upon a breeze or a dandelion in the early spring releasing its seeds into the wind, words are scattered unreservedly. We rarely take the time to consider just what words are. We often fail to recognize the gift we have been given. In our words, we possess the ability to wield a complex messaging system. In both our speech and the written word, we have the capacity to encode and decode information. This not only in one language but many across the world. Many languages, each playing their own unique symphony of human intellect, a concert magnifying the beauty we can find in this life in which we have been blessed.
Our words are evidence of an intellect that is far beyond our own. Without an external, higher source of intelligence to draw from, where would such things as words originate? Why would the primordial man choose to take the time to talk? I imagine that in this secular view of early history prehistoric man was much more concerned about eating and being eaten rather than conveying meaning through words. The secular perspective of history paints such a picture of our beginnings. We began as an organism slightly more intelligent than an animal. And then throughout the course of millions of years we slowly developed the ability to communicate. This ability to communicate in written form only really coming to surface just over 3000 years ago, according to popular science.[1] What have we been doing with the time before we started to write? It is estimated from secular science that the first humans evolved some six million years ago. Other sources state that modern humanity evolved around 200,000 years ago.[2] If we are gracious and use the smaller number, that gives humanity roughly 197,000 years to develop the skill of communication. Not very productive track record. And even if we accept that communication evolved as we evolved in the view of secular science over this long period of time, one would assume that our ability to communicate would be more advanced than it is at present. Considering human development from this secular scientific viewpoint appears to me to be profoundly pessimistic. The glass is not half full, it is not even on the table and there is no water in sight. In my estimation, from this perspective, we are fortunate to be able to act with any sort of civility at all.
From the Christian perspective, we know that our ability to communicate did not develop over the course of millennia at a slower than molasses in winter pace. We know that we were endowed with the ability to communicate from the very moment God, our Creator, breathed life into the first man. “7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7 NASB).” The Lord God created the first human from the dust of the ground, breathing into him the breath of life. From the first moment on earth, humanity has been endowed with life given to us from the Father. We were and are created in His image bearing His attributes. We were created with the ability to think and reason as God gave humanity stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:26-30). We have been created to communicate and to be in fellowship with God and with one another. Trial and error over the course of unfathomable lengths of time did not grant us the ability to communicate. The Word came to us in the beginning (John1:1) and in the Word there is life, abundant (John 10:10). Apart from this life there is only a pessimistic, desperate narrative of human suffering.
We are not pond scum that figured out how to talk. We are the images of an Almighty God who have been imparted the responsibility to represent His Eternal Kingdom (Genesis 1:27; Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6; Matthew 28:16-20). Because we walk on the earth to bear witness of the Almighty, we have been given His Word in what we call the Bible. This Word did not develop as a result of human evolution. We did not get our Bible because we figured out how to scratch lines onto a rock and then decide, corporately, to give those lines meaning. This Word was given to us by God, Himself (Deuteronomy 9:10-11) and through revelation of His Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is almost beyond my comprehension that God would trust me, us, with His word. As I think on this even now, the thought of an All-Powerful God who can speak the vastness of creation into existence deemed it fitting to place His word in my hands and say I trust you child with the key to life and death. I trust you to carry My Name with integrity as you bear witness to My glory. What is more, a God who can design something so intangible and abstract as human consciousness blesses us with His characteristics. He gives us love, empathy, cognition, reason indiscriminately allowing humanity to use or abuse them at our own free-will. The grace poured out upon us is profound. What a blessing it is to be able to look upon His word with the eyes He has created for us. What a blessing to be able to page through His History with the fingers He has crafted for us. What an indescribable blessing it is to be able to think on the utterances of the One who holds all things within His grasp. A God who needs nothing from us, speaks directly to us in the intimacy of a devoted Father. Our limited human capacity to convey meaning through words fails to describe how amazing this truly is. What a wonder it is to be called a child of God. May we use our words to proclaim the good news of our King and Savior, Jesus!
“13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love (1 John 4:13-18 ESV).”
To know God is to know love. As John tells us, “God is love (1 John 4:7).” Our faith in the Savior, restores a broken relationship, enabling us to become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. John instructs us in the reality that knowing God requires that we abide in Him. This means that we allow His Spirit to work through us, resulting in His presence being made known to those who do not know God. The manifestation of God’s love in the heart of His people is evidence of the presence of God abiding in them (1 John 4:13). He sent Jesus to be the propitiation (atonement) for sin. He did this because He loves us. Our response to this love, from God through the Son is part of the redemption story.
We are part of the redemption story. You are part of the expression of love from God for His creation. Because you said yes to the invitation of love from God resulting in the Salvation of your soul, you are part of the story. Because you called out in faith, because you have stretched out your hand to grab hold of His hand of Salvation, you have become part of the love story. Your willingness to turn to the Father, in love, makes love perfect. John tells us, “whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us (John 4:16-17).” Love poured out by God in sending us Messiah. Love embodied through the agony of the cross. Love triumphant at the dawn of Resurrection. Love perfected in the faith of His children as we are united with Love Eternal.
Let the love of God pour forth from your heart. Allow this love to be a vibrant testimony of hope. You are part of the love story. Have confidence, even as the world aligns itself with judgement. Have confidence because there is “no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). You are held in the hands of the Almighty. Whom shall you fear? Be His. Be an expression of His love for the hopeless. Be love, perfected in faith and upheld by our Savior, Jesus. To God be the glory, forever and ever and ever…Amen!
“9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and called out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who is coming after me has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him (John 1:9-18 NASB95).”
The Light has come. The true Light. The Light of life and hope, peace and mercy. Jesus is the Light. He is the Light that enlivens the life of all who call Him Lord and Savior. He is the Light that enlightens every person who trusts in Him with the wisdom of God through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He has come into our world. He has come into our hearts. He has imparted upon us an everlasting hope in His truth through His appearing. He came to us because He loves us. He has given us the right, through faith, to be called the children of God, AMEN!!!
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14 NASB95).” The Word became flesh, as the Apostle John described as He reflected on the first advent of our Messiah. The Word made flesh to impart an everlasting hope to the children of God. It is a hope that we are Redeemed by a God who knows us. He watches over us and He cares for us. We are not saved by a distant, unknowable deity. We are Saved by a God who made Himself known to us. Therefore we can have confidence in knowing the Name of Salvation, Jesus. King of King and Lord of Lords, our Savior came to this place to rescue us. To Him be glory, forever!
John described our God as he wrote, “No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him (John 1:18 NASB95).” To know God is to know the Son. The Son being Jesus, the incarnation of the Almighty.The Word made flesh who walked among us, leading us along the path of righteousness. To God be the glory, for He is a God who saves!!!
It is during this time of the year that we remember the first advent or appearing of our Messiah, Jesus. He came to us in the innocence of a child (Luke 2:1-21). Born in a manger and under the shadow of the cross, Jesus the Word made flesh. The promises of God incarnate. The hope of resurrection fulfilled. The eternal King of glory, revealed. May you be filled with His Light of hope during this time. May you be reminded of the love He has for you, His child. May the grandeur of Salvation be made alive in your heart.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14 NIV).”
I remember a song from Vacation Bible School. You may remember it as well. The title of the song is, “Down In My Heart.” The chorus and the first verse are as follows.
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart, (where?) Down in my heart, (where?) Down in my heart, I have the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart, (where?) Down in my heart to stay.
And I’m so happy, so very happy I have the love of Jesus in my heart. And I’m so happy, so very happy I have the love of Jesus in my heart.
I was reminded of this song as I thought about my faith. Though, all of us go through difficulties, our faith provides us with joy. I am not talking about a joy that is found on your face as evidenced in a smile. Although, to smile can be a result of joy. The joy I speak of is a joy that is much deeper. This joy truly comes from, as the song tells us, down in our heart.
In chapter 15 of the book of John, our Savior tells us that we are loved. He encourages us to abide in Him and to listen to His Word. This is joy. This is where our joy comes from. We are His. His love, His Spirit dwells within us. Jesus tells us in verse 11 of this chapter, “11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full (John 15:11 NASB).” Allow the joy of our Lord to be in you. Allow His peace to envelop you in all situations so that your joy may be made full. Joy, down in your heart.
Solomon tells us in Proverbs 17:22, “22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Joy is good medicine for an ailing heart. Conversely, brokenness of spirit dries up our bones making us brittle. I pray that whatever trials you face, whatever struggle you are currently dealing with, in the midst of this, remember joy. Remember the unshakable, unfathomable joy of the Savior. Remember, you are loved and you are His. Be joyful, therefore and know that He is your God!
I leave you with Paul’s encouragement, “13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13 ESV).”
May your faith be an ever-present source of joy and hope.
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.
Corby Shuey 