Daily Reading: Malachi 3-4
Scripture Focus: “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.” (Malachi 3.17)
Devotional Thought: Have you ever heard (or had!) a conversation like this?
“Mom! Johnny is doing it again. I have to do what you say, but he's getting away with murder! Do something about it!”
“You worry about you, I'll worry about Johnny.”
Some people in the book of Malachi had this conversation with God. They felt like they were doing the right things, but the sinful and arrogant were being blessed, and those who tested God were “getting away with it!” This bothered the people so much that they actually listed their grievances before God. Wow! That must have taken some nerve. Let’s sit down with God Almighty and list how we are being mistreated. It's interesting that not only did God listen to them, he also took notes!
I like how God handled this; he didn’t chastise the righteous for wondering why good things were happening to bad people. He listened because he cared. He not only cared, but he assured them that in the end, whenever that end may be, the righteous will prevail and the evil ones will be punished.
I believe we serve a God of grace, and he is not willing for anyone to perish but for everyone to come to repentance. However, it is comforting to know that our righteousness, our right living, is not in vain. No matter what people are doing around you, in the end you will receive the crown of life. Then, you can let God worry about Johnny.
Cheryl Young
Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to get my eyes off you and on the people around me, and wonder why "they get away with it." Thank you for your grace which reminds me to let you worry about all that. I can just focus on you. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-- let Israel now say-- 2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. (Psalms 124:1-5)
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