The hobby of collecting items can be as varied as the individuals who enjoy it. Postage stamps, patches (of state / national parks visited, for example), vintage books, buttons, varied China teacup patterns, antique guns, movies of a particular actor – these are just a few examples of what people collect. Even among a category like coin collections there are many sub-categories: military coins, ancient coins, state quarters, coins from international travels, etc.
Did you know that God Himself is a Collector? Malachi 3:17 records this declaration: “And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels (literally, “special treasure”)…”
What is the “they” of His collection? Verse 16 answers this question: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name.”
To get the full impact of why the people described in verse 16 were viewed by God as a special treasure, we need to notice the setting of verses 13 to 15. Most people’s words were stout against the Lord, and yet they claimed innocence. This is like a black velvet cloth on which a jeweler places jewels. The colors and sheen of the jewels are more obvious to the observer because of the contrast of the background fabric. The same contrast is highlighted in Malachi 3:13-18.
1. Pray that Christians who are currently living out the same actions of verse 16 (fearing the LORD, thinking about Him, and speaking often to other believers about Him) will be deeply encouraged by the fact that God Himself pays attention to, listens, records, and remembers their words.
2. People can change the tenor of their words. The thief on the cross started out as one who ridiculed Jesus, but came to a realization and belief in the fact that Jesus was innocent. His words and attitude changed as a result, and Jesus took notice. Pray for someone living in your region of the country who has long ridiculed Truth to be likewise gloriously redeemed.
3. David prayed the following in Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my Strength, and my Redeemer.” Pray for this to be true in the lives of all TGP team members today.
Matthew 13:43
