The message of Malachi to me.

I started thinking recently about the idea behind the book of Malachi. While I've been preaching from there, I've emphasized the concept that this was God's last word to His people before a long period of silence from heaven.

His message then, was to hold Israel to a spiritual perspective until the coming of the Messiah. When I then see how the Gospel writers characterized the religious leaders of Jesus' day I have to wonder if Malachi's oracle had the effect intended. It doesn't seem to have kept Israel tracking closely with God.

That challenges me. Even though God's word is accurately communicated to His people, we have no guarantee that the message will be heeded. I don't like to think about that. It discourages me. The challenge then is to continue to obey, even though a deep discouragement accompanies that obedience.

We all have to learn that obedience and faithfulness are the activities God desires. Facing personal problems, conflicts, illnesses, we can obey Him. He is the one who handles the outcome. In any area of life, our focus must rest completely and solidly on being obedience to God, trusting Him whatever the outcome of our circumstances, and not losing sight of the priority of our walk with Him.

That said, discouragement will always be very near to us, but not something to debilitate us. Paul's words now take on new meaning for us when we read, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)