Malachi
3 reminds me of the good old days. I know so many people that have a
fondness for another time; I time when they were younger, or stronger
or still had hope for the future. I think some are so focused on
recalling yesterday, that they are neglecting today. This chapter
hints at paradise lost, like the endless summer that was left behind.
It also looks ahead to a brand new greatest experience. It begins,
“I will send My messenger, who
will prepare the way before Me“.
This may be a worldwide figure, but each of us also has the ability
to prepare the way for someone dear to us. “Then
suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple“.
There is a clear sense of wonderful anticipation mixed with fear.
His reality will exceed our expectation. Nothing on earth can
compare to His perfect holiness, “Who
can stand when He appears?”
This can only describe the return of Messiah, “He
will be like a refiner’s fire…
a refiner and purifier“.
Every eye, every thought, every emotion will be focused on Him.
Everyone will understand that He is God. It says, men “will
bring offerings in righteousness“.
What kind of offerings? I think they will be expressions of love,
and thanks and praise, “as in
days gone by, as in former years“.
Hope will again be present for some.
The
Savior will also judge sin. Here is a warning for the pious and the
powerful; there is no special category of sin highlighted as better
or worse than all others. He knows the motives behind our actions,
“I will be quick to testify“.
The self-righteous will be humbled by His perfect justice. Listen
to the list of sins included, “sorcerers,
adulterers and perjurers… defraud… oppress… deprive“.
There is only one group singled
out; those that “do
not fear Me“. Why? They will
miss the greatest promise, “Return
to Me, and I will return to you“.
In His presence, the glory of the good old days will be replaced by
the glory of that day.
The
rest of the chapter involves relearning how to trust. Those that
live in the past have had their trust stolen and no longer want to
risk disappointment. Many have been manipulated into giving away
important things. Coercive giving feels just like taking. But God
says, “You rob Me… in tithes
and offerings“. All giving to
God should be an act of worship and an act of faith. Here is a trust
building promise, “Test Me in
this… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and
pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store
it“. You cannot out-give God.
I cannot explain it, but I have seen it many times. Will you start
to rebuild trust by taking that step of worship? The chapter
continues with a word to the joy-stealers that put down the faithful.
God says, “You have spoken
arrogantly against Me“, by
saying, “It is futile to serve
God… evildoers prosper, and… they get away with it“.
Faith in God is ridiculed mostly by folks that want you to place
your faith in them instead. What is the solution to these deniers?
“Those who feared the Lord
spoke to one another“. Every
place the Word of God is taught, the people grow in faith. This is
why Hebrews 10:25 encourages us to fellowship with other believers,
“consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another“. The
chapter closes with a reference to “A
scroll of remembrance… written in His presence concerning those who
feared the Lord
and honored His Name“. Are
you on the list? Maybe it is time to put the faded black and white
memories away. Look ahead and begin to trust in the Trustworthy One
today and tomorrow.