Assurance for the Faithful
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him…But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings…” Malachi 3:17; 4:2 HCSB
One of the greatest struggles of faith can be addressing the issue, “is it worth it?” Does faithfulness and obedience to the Lord make a difference. When the lives of the “wicked” and rebellious seem to be ones of ease compared to the faithful, it tests ones resolve and commitment. We see this issue throughout scripture; from God’s people in Malachi to the psalmist in Psalm 73.
God’s people offer this complaint, “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.” (Malachi 3:14,15 HCSB)
What the Lord wants people to understand is, that the way things appear it not the way they really are and the way they will end. There is hope and a future for those who are faithful to the Lord.
Today I was in a meeting with a couple of former legislative colleagues, who had visited my in intensive care. As we talked, we discussed how grateful we are when we “escape death” but at the same time the great future there is for us in eternity in the Lord’s presence.
In Malachi we see two great declarations about those who commit themselves to be faithful followers of Christ. They are described as, “…those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name” – and “you who fear My name…”(Malachi 3:16; 4:2 HCSB)
The first assurance is that God’s faithful will be a “special possession” and those to whom the Lord will show compassion. This is set in contrast to the destiny of the wicked and rebellious. The Lord says, “So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” (Malachi 3:18 HCSB)
The second assurance is related to the “Day of the Lord.” A time when the ultimate consummation of God’s plan of redemption for mankind and the world takes place. That day is described as, “burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble.” (Malachi 4:1 HCSB) But in contrast, “for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings…”
That declaration reminds me of Revelation 21:4 (HCSB) “Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.”
The challenge in Malachi’s day and in our day is for “those who fear the Lord” to remain, focused, to remain faithful, knowing the Lord is with us and has prepared a future for His “special possessions.”
Prayer for today… Lord, for those who are weary or struggling in their faith and commitment, allow them to be recipients of Your divine strength and encouragement. For those who have faltered allowed them to recommit to “staying the course.” Thank You for the helping us keep our focus, like Jesus, on the “prize set before us.” (Heb. 12:2)