April 15, 2023: The Lord Paid Attention

"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." (Malachi 3:16, ESV)

There are benefits to living in the fear of the Lord. In Malachi's day, the nation of Israel was in a bad place. There was little justice to be found in the land. The people had forgotten God and had forgotten His ways. The priests despised the name of the Lord and polluted the offerings. The nation was greatly defiled.  

In this context, God finds a remnant that refuses to become defiled—this remnant with hearts devoted to God chooses to live right, do right, and worship in fear of the Lord. They lived in righteousness under a God who was righteousness. They loved His ways and knew He was well able to keep everything they entrusted to Him.

The remnant held on to God when God spoke of divorcing Israel because of her spiritual adultery. When God threatened to open the borders of Israel to all her enemies, the remnant held fast to the ways of God.

It was this remnant who feared the Lord that caught God's attention. God was listening to their conversations. They spoke God's word and of God's ways, and the Lord created a book of remembrance before Him to remember their names and deeds. Those who fear Him will not be forgotten—but remembered. The Lord paid attention to those who esteemed His name!