Daily Devotion: Contented and Grateful

Scripture:
Malachi 3: 13-18

Main Verse:
Malachi 3: 16
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.

Observation:
There were people during the time of Malachi who spoke disrespectfully about the Lord. They were complainers, too. But what was really bothersome was how they pretended that they did not speak harshly against the Lord. When the Lord confronted them, they denied speaking against God and said "What have we done?" They may have been able to pretend that they did not break the Lord's heart with their words, but they could never hide their hearts from the Lord.

However, there were others--godly people--who chose to cling closer to the Lord. What were their characteristics? First, they talked with one another. They had discerning hearts and they recognized the wickedness of those who disrespected the Lord. They chose to talk with brothers and sisters who had the same hearts as theirs. They also feared the Lord. They continued to have reverence for the Lord despite being surrounded by wicked people. Lastly, they honored the Lord's name. Instead of complaining to the Lord, they worshipped and glorified His name.

Application:
Everything that we have here on earth is a gift from the Lord. He has the choice not to give us His blessings because we are all sinners, but the Lord has chosen to bestow upon us His favor out of His gracious heart. Therefore, we need to stop complaining and blaming the Lord when some unexpectedly bad circumstance happens to us. When we complain, we become a source of discouragement to others. Instead of grumbling, our mouths should be used to thank the Lord and give Him the highest praise that He alone deserves. The Lord has already provided His creations with everything that they need. This is something that we ought to be always thankful of. Finally, we need to give Him our utmost respect because He is Almighty God! So let us be contented and grateful. The Lord favors those who honor Him. He promises to write our names in the "scroll of remembrance" and consider us as his "cherished possession" (v. 17) when we chose to honor Him.

Prayer:
Father, I would like to be written in your scroll and be one of your cherished possessions. I pray, Oh Lord, that I may always bring honor to your name whenever I open my mouth to speak about you, or whenever I bring out my pen to write about you. May I be a source of encouragement when others hear me talk about you. May others see how great and wonderful and beautiful are your works. I will praise your name for you alone deserve the highest praises!