November 1, 2024

Dear Church Family,

I remember the first time I went to shop for “white” paint. I was shocked that there were so many different options. Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to see the difference between two things, like paint. Other times, though, the contrast couldn’t be any more obvious. It’s night and day. What kind of contrast do we display as believers to the world? I hope it’s like this:

Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

I was reading through Malachi this morning and came across a passage of contrasts. Throughout the book the people have been questioning God, not as those seeking answers, but as those arrogantly almost taunting the Lord. We see a glimpse into their wickedness in these verses:

Malachi 3:13-15 (ESV)
“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’ ”

I was so saddened as I read those verses, but in the very next verse I was shocked in a good way.

Malachi 3:16-18 (ESV)
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

In the darkness of Israel, there was a group that feared the Lord and stood out and shined brightly. How amazing is it that God paid attention and heard and that a book of remembrance was written before the Lord with their names in it? He declared that there would be a distinct contrast between them and the wicked. Why would this be true? Because they feared the Lord and esteemed His name. Do you fear the Lord? Do you esteem His name? Shine brightly for Him!