April 4 – He Is His Name

“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 1:11 (ESV)

As we read the Bible we find that God’s name is to be taken (used) seriously and with much honor. So it is that one of the Ten Commandments instructs us to not take or use the name of the LORD God in vain. What God does for us and for all humans is all done for His name’s sake. It is for His great name’s sake that God will not forsake His people – that is us who believe. Even when we indulge in our own pleasures and when we forsake the straight path He sets before for us.  Even when we trust in our own understanding instead of God and turn from God’s commands in disobedience, He remains faithful to us because he has promised to and He does this for His name’s sake AND that He might make known to His mighty power. That was why God opened the Red Sea for the Children of Israel to cross on dry land as they exited Egypt (Psalm 106:8-9). It is difficult to break the habits we’ve had for years invoking God’s name uselessly but God’s name is who He is and He is worthy of honor and glory. 

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July 6 – Listening In

“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.”  Malachi 3:16 (NIV)

We believe that God hears us when we pray to Him. But is that the only time He hears us? Does he sometimes overhear what we are saying – especially about Him?  We know the answer when we recognize that God know everything because He is omniscient.  But it is more than that and the prophet Malachi addresses this question in our verse today.  Notice that our Lord listens in when we talk to each another.  Our verse tells us that He pays special attention when our conversations honors Him and shows Him the respect He is worthy of and deserves from us. And, He keeps record of what He hears.  Often, we forget that our God is so involved in our activities.  We can honor Him and show due respect to Him by our conversations with each other.  And, when we do, God will know and He will remember it forever. What a wonderful God we have who promises to remember the honor we give Him in our daily conversations with friends and family.  

April 14

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6 (NIV)

You may say that this promise is given to the Jews, the descendants of Jacob, and you are right. But don’t think there is nothing in it for those of other races – for ourselves. What God is saying is that the promises He made to Abraham and to Jacob were still valid. He had chosen the people of Israel and He would always care for them. He would not forget them. He would not change. We who believe in Jesus as our Savior are God’s people. He has promised to watch over us. We can depend on Him to be faithful to His promises because He does not change.