THE LORD SPOKE (December 31)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Malachi 1-4

When would you find yourself turning to the book of Malachi? This “little” book packs a big message. Not only is it the known source for three or four key biblical topics (divorce, tithing, Messiah’s forerunner), it is chock full of memorable statements. Consider for example:

• Mal. 1:5 - “Great is the Lord - even beyond the borders of Israel.” That message has reached the uttermost parts of the earth - all the way to America. Look at it on the globe. We’re just about as far away as you can get from the land of Israel but the word has come even to us.
• Mal. 1:6-7 and Mal. 3:7-8 - “But you ask...but you ask....” With this rhetorical device, Malachi slams the people’s self-righteous complacency and lets them see just how foolish is their position.
• Mal. 1:8 - God says, “Try offering your scuzzy junk to someone else. Don’t give me your left-overs.”
• Mal. 2:1-2 - How about it? Have you “set your heart to honor the Lord”? Is it a passion of your life?
• Mal. 2:10,11,14,15,16 - “Guard yourself in your spirit and DO NOT BREAK FAITH” (with one another, with your spouse, with God Himself).
• Mal. 2:16 - God says, “I hate divorce!” Need anything else be said on this subject? Apparently yes, judging by over 50% of our society. And our churches are no better. It’s quite obvious - we love divorce today. Do we not listen to God?
• Mal. 3:1 & 4:5 - John the Baptist (“my messenger”) and Elijah are both promised as forerunners of the Messiah - one for His first advent and the other for His second advent. The first prophecy was fulfilled literally. The second one will be also.
• Mal. 3:10 - The one matter in which God says, “Put me to the test” (something we’re generally quite good at) is in our giving! Have you “proved God” in this area? Do you give to the point you make Him take notice?
• Mal. 3:16 - Forget Santa’s silly list. God Almighty keeps a written record of those who fear and honor Him. Is your name on that list?
• Mal. 4:1,5 - The Day of the Lord is “great and dreadful” (today we’d probably say “awesome”) and it is coming.
• Mal. 4:2 - Here’s an anchor for your soul: “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings”.

The last book of the Bible is certainly not the least!


Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (Prov. 31:10)

As you go down through the remainder of this chapter verse-by-verse, you can compile quite a list of godly character traits:

• Prov. 31:11 - trustworthy
• Prov. 31:12 - devoted
• Prov. 31:13 - industrious
• Prov. 31:14 - enterprising
• Prov. 31:15 - conscientious
• Prov. 31:16 - initiative
• Prov. 31:17 - energetic
• Prov. 31:18 - productive
• Prov. 31:19 - diligent
• Prov. 31:20 - generous
• Prov. 31:21 - dependable
• Prov. 31:22 - creative
• Prov. 31:23 - supportive
• Prov. 31:24 - resourceful
• Prov. 31:25 - content
• Prov. 31:26 - wise
• Prov. 31:27 - meticulous
• Prov. 31:28 - loyal
• Prov. 31:29 - respected
• Prov. 31:30 - spiritual
• Prov. 31:31 - praiseworthy

Such a wife is a rare treasure. The initial question, “who can find” such a one (Prov. 31:10) does not imply impossibility. A wife like this is a wonderful gift from God. He can and does produce such godly character.

Men, it’s worth looking for these qualities and it’s certainly worth trying to build up your wife in these areas, encouraging and praising her progress. It is, in part, what is meant by “presenting her as radiant” (see Eph. 5:25-27).

Ladies, it’s worth striving for. Did you ever see the button that had the initials: “T.G.H.N.F.W.M.Y.” on it? It stands for “Thank God, He’s not finished with me yet.” Wear it with humility - and with thankfulness for what He can do!