“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.” (Mal. 3:16) [It should be said of us: ‘They feared the Lord’ – why? Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the very root of a true relationship with God; when we reverenced the majesty of God, submit to his authority, and have a dread of his wrath in all that we think and say; we are humbly complying with God, and never speak any unkind words against Him. In every age there has been a remnant that fear the Lord, though sometimes a little remnant. We should think upon His name; we must seriously considere and frequently mediated upon the revelations God has made of himself in his word and by his wisdom, and our mediation of Him will be sweet, and influence all those around us!] “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 [children] WHO SERVES HIM.” (Mal. 3:17) [Our gracious Abba Father observes all the gracious words that proceed out our mouths; we need not desire that men may hear us and commend us; even if our conversation be very private, God sees and hears in secret and WILL REWARD OPENLY!] “And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, BETWEEN THOSE WHO SERVE GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT.” (Mal. 3:18) [When the righteous are all set on the right hand of Jesus, and invited to come for their blessing, and all the wicked on his left hand, and are told to depart with a curse, then it will be easy to discern between them. As to ourselves, therefore, we must be concerned that we keep ourselves in God’s love, and, as to those who choose to ignore God, we must judge nothing before the time! For that “day of the Lord” is coming soon, but trouble will come upon the earth to all who choose not to follow Jesus!] “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth [who do not know Him] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they WILL GATHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF THE HEAVENS TO THE OTHER.” (Matt. 24:29-31)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE WILL BE GOD’S TREASURED POSSESSION. HE WILL SPARE US, JUST AS A FATHER HAS COMPASSION AND SPARES HIS CHILDREN WHO SERVE HIM!
-Bill Stockham