MESSAGES
What do we gain from serving God? (Malachi 3:14-16)
Malachi 3:14 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?
Malachi 3:16 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.
In these texts, the Lord reveals to us the postures and thoughts that circulated among the people of Israel during the time of the prophet Malachi. We clearly see here the contrast between two different groups and the way they addressed God.
» The Danger of Questioning and Doubt
The first group, described in verse 14, was complaining. They openly questioned whether it was worth being faithful, reaching the terrible and explicit conclusion: "It is useless to serve God".
They said this because, looking around, they saw the wicked and unfaithful prospering. According to their reasoning, those who lived in sin lacked nothing, while the righteous went through struggles. This false perception of impunity and injustice caused their hearts to be filled with doubts about the usefulness of keeping the Lord's precepts.
» The Memorial of Those Who Fear the Lord
However, verse 16 presents us with a second group: those who feared the Lord.
In the midst of the crisis of faith of the majority, these people continued talking to one another. And the Bible gives us a wonderful detail: the Lord was attentive to every word they pronounced! Since they feared God, their conversations were certainly full of exaltation, encouragement, faith, and perseverance.
God not only listened but wrote a book of remembrance (a memorial) before Him, recording the attitude and words of those who remembered His name.
The Lord promised that the day would come when everyone would clearly see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.
Malachi 3:18 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.
» God Remains Attentive
Nowadays, we often have the feeling that God is doing nothing in the face of the advance of unbelief. We see people turning away, blasphemies multiplying, and the wicked apparently prospering, and we are tempted to think like the first group.
But make no mistake: our God is perfectly attentive to everything that is happening. He listens to your words of faith, observes your perseverance, and honors the attitudes that glorify His name.
God's purposes in this world often surpass our understanding. How many times the Lord uses the wicked themselves to bless the righteous.
The prophet Habakkuk once questioned God upon seeing that He would use the Chaldeans — an even more cruel people — to discipline Israel.
Habakkuk 1:
4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.
But the way God works is unquestionable; His justice is established according to His sovereign will, using circumstances we cannot even imagine to bless us, forge us, or correct us.
» Persevere: The Difference Will Be Revealed
Therefore, keep your faith unshakable. Be a faithful servant. Continue serving the Lord with all your heart, even if you see tremendously sinful and idolatrous people prospering around you. Remember that the glory of this world is fleeting and momentary.
Your faithful attitudes are not going unnoticed; they are being written in a memorial before God!
Stand tall, move forward, and continue being faithful. One day, your reward will be distinct and clear, and the promise will be fulfilled: you will see the great and eternal difference between the one who serves and the one who does not serve God.
