MALACHI 3:16-18 – Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.”
THEME OF THE DAY. OWNED AND TREASURED. Let’s do a little search of today’s scripture with the goal of discovering the two ways the Lord sees His people. Take our time and savor each one. They don’t apply to just the Israelites of old. We, too, are included in these heart-ravishing truths of how God sees us. Settle into each one and allow the Spirit of God turn our search into a scene of worship over such amazing grace and love God displays toward us.
First, the Lord sees us as His property – “They shall be mine” says the Lord of hosts. Now this is true of every human being by creation, but this declaration isn’t about generic ownership based on the relationship between the Creator and His creature. No, this is intimacy; this is personal love; this is personal delight. God is saying, “My people, my redeemed and chosen people, are My property in personal relationship.” The Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of this truth – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Owned by God, purchased by the blood of Christ, is the greatest experience and knowledge a person may ever have. What joy! What security! What assurance! To know God claims us as His property is a source of bold living for His glory. It is also the way to live confidently in our relationship with Him. He never disowns or sells off His property.
Next, the Lord sees us as His treasured possession – “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession.” We each own things and have people in our lives we value very much. What do we do with such? We safeguard them. We preserve them. We cherish them. We spend time taking care of them. And we may be assured God does the same with His people, His “treasured possession”. What a joy-producing truth! The Apostle Paul tells us God even sees us as His inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). Friends, like God will not disown or sell off His property, He also will not forfeit or neglect His treasured possession. Even when His treasured possession doesn’t act much like His treasured possession. Remember, being His property and treasured possession is all of grace, not our effort or conduct.
Learn to see ourselves as God does – His owned property and treasured possession – and our joy will deepen along with our love for Him who made us His owned property and treasured possession.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your amazing love that makes me Your treasured possession.”
QUOTE: “Few things move us to greater diligence in seeking the Lord more than knowing His heart is upon us.”