DEVOTION: JUST LOOK AT THIS BRIGHT SIDE! | SHADRACK RUTO
It is hard to imagine being a remnant in the land of Judah during the time of Malachi. It is clear there was a rampant rebellion against the Lord and His service. If these people could weary the Lord by speaking arrogantly against Him, what were they saying against the faithful in the land?
But this remnant continued to fear and serve the Lord. While it might have seemed that there was no benefit in fearing and serving the Lord, the message from God through Malachi dispelled that belief.
First, the Lord said that whatever the faithful were saying was causing incredible excitement and positive reaction in Heaven.
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
Secondly, the message from God gave a bright picture of a bright future for this remnant.
“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 who serves him. Malachi 3:17
Then He continued to show that there would be a difference between the remnant and the rest of the people in the land of Judah, and that everyone would see this.
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Malachi 3:18
APPLICATION:
- God in His word has clearly stated that there will be a difference between those who fear and serve Him and those who don’t. In His sermon on the mountain, Our Lord Jesus Christ gave encouraging words for those who fear and serve God. Christ painted a bright future worth looking forward to. Here is part of what He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10
- In case you are feeling like the remnant in Judah, Our Lord Jesus Christ has this encouragement for you.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
- It is possible that you might be going through suffering, either because of your faith or because of the many sufferings in this world, and there doesn’t seem to be an end to it. The Lord has this encouragement for you through the apostle Paul.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
- I find the story of the rich man and Lazarus as evidence of this bright future for believers. Lazarus was a reject in the rich man’s eyes but in Heaven, he was loved dearly. And this is well demonstrated by where he sat after his death.
- If you feel that you are treated as a reject, remember Lazarus!
- If you feel like your suffering in this world never seems to end, remember Lazarus!
- If you feel like nobody cares about you, remember nobody cared about Lazarus either.
- No matter what you are going through, you need to look forward to the bright future that waits for us. It is a better life and a better place.
I consider that our present sufferings
Are not worth comparing with
The glory that will be
Revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Read: Malachi 3:17-18
Marked: 3:18
By Pastor Shadrack Ruto
http://www.upendochurch.org/
