Daily Devotionals

100% Week 4 Friday

“They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Malachi 3:17

Little children have to quickly learn that actions have consequences. For example, they have to learn that they will have to go to time out or be sent to bed without dessert if they hit their sibling. It would be easier for parents to ignore behavior such as hitting a sibling or saying an unkind word, but a good parent knows that their child has to learn that actions have consequences. Kids need to learn this so that they will remember this into adulthood. As adults, we still need to remember that our actions have consequences. The way we live our lives matters, and we will be held accountable based on our actions.

 God taught the people of Israel that everyone will be judged based on how they lived their lives one day. He spoke through the prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:17, saying, “One day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.” (verse 17). God explained to the Israelites through Malachi that judgment was coming, but those who were obedient would be spared. He explained further in Malachi 4 that those who did not turn to Him would face His judgment.

Revelation 20 explains God’s pending judgment. This chapter of Revelation prophecies that God will judge everyone based on how they lived. Those who have not placed their faith in Him will face eternal punishment, but those who follow Him will be saved. Malachi 4:2 says that those who revere and love God will experience the sun of righteousness that will rise “with healing in its wings.” The beauty is that in the last chapter of the Old Testament, the last book pointed to a Messiah who would come to set things right. Jesus came to make a way for our healing spiritually. He is now the one who gives us the power to follow Him through the Holy Spirit.

Friends, the way we live our lives right now matters. We will face God’s judgment one day, and I do not know about you, but I want to hear the words “Well done.” May you and I commit to living our lives solely for Christ each day.

Moving Toward Action

Our actions have consequences, and we should make decisions and live our lives like this is true. We also need to share with others that this is true and share with them the hope of Jesus if we place our faith in Him. One easy way to do this is to invite others to church this weekend. Who in your life can you bring with you to church this weekend? Reach out to them today and invite them! We cannot wait to worship with you this weekend.

Going Deeper

Malachi 3:17-4:6 (NLT)

Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord.

“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’

“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’ ”

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.

“They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”