If you read last week’s devotional entitled “Preaching to the Choir”, I want to apologize for stepping on some toes (I stepped on a couple of my own toes too). And Malachi’s audience also had some strong reactions to his message that stung the LORD’s ears,
“Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the LORD. Yet you say, “What have we spoken against You?” You have said, “It is useless to serve God…”(Malachi 3:13-14)
But today I finished reading Malachi 3-4 and found a wonderful promise that helped my sore toes feel a lot better. In 3:16-17, it says,
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I make them My jewels’…”
I was first amazed by the fact that these people were not talking to God, but amongst themselves! They were encouraging one another in their faith and beliefs in God and were not being discouraged by the disparaging words of the naysayers in verses 14-15. And God listened in on their conversations about Him and was blessed by their words.
The Lord hears every word you speak, whether positive or negative, praising or complaining. He LOVES to hear our words of faith and our encouragement to one another blesses His heart. He writes every good testimony down in His book of remembrance to keep as evidence for our reward when we stand before Him one day. So keep up your encouraging words to one another and your prayers to the Father! Your prayers and your testimonies avail much!
I also LOVE the idea that God is making us into His own jewels. You are precious in His sight. You are more valuable to Him than all the diamonds and rubies and emeralds in the whole world! God loves you and has a special setting designed especially for you where you can shine for Him like a sparkling gemstone in His crown. Be dazzling for God today! Live brightly before the naysayers of the world who don’t see the benefit of walking humbly before God. Reflect God’s love to others like a diamond reflects light in a thousand directions.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
And,
The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people; for they are like jewels in a crown, sparkling over His land. (Zechariah 9:16 HCSB)
What verse or song of praise makes your heart sparkle with love and joy today? Aim some of that sparkle in someone else’s direction too, please. (And remember who is eavesdropping on your conversations–the LORD!)
–dmrf