One of the things my wife Pam and I have discovered over many years is the power of lasting friendship. We have many friends who have been our close friends for more than forty years. We don’t see some of them often but when we do, it’s a great blessing! Do you have lifetime friendships, too? These friendships aren’t strong just because we’ve known each other for a long time; there’s another reason. Let’s consider that kind of friendship and listen to today’s passage:
Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord paid attention and listened. A book was written in his presence to be a reminder to those who feared the Lord and respected his name. (Mal. 3:16)
This sweet little passage comes to us through an Old Testament prophet. I like it, don’t you? The real name of the author is unknown. “Malachi” is a transliteration of the Hebrew word “my messenger.” So, while Malachi may be the prophet’s real name, Malachi may simply be a name assigned to an otherwise unknown prophet. Regardless, today’s message comes right after God takes His people to task for their failure to love and serve Him faithfully. Why? Because many of them had decided that the wicked prosper as much or more than the righteous—and abandoned their faith. Many turned away, but not all. Those who feared the Lord gathered and spoke to one another. Over the years, Pam and I have kept friendships with people we know and who have loved and served God faithfully. We might live in different towns; we might attend different churches, or different denominations. What binds us together is that we all love and serve Jesus. When we gather, we share our lives and we know, as in today’s passage, that God “pays attention and listens.” What a blessing it is to be bound together in this way! Today, take a few moments to consider your lasting friendships and the wonderful blessing those friendships have been in your life. Then take a few moments to praise and thank God for them.
He has given us to one another as gifts in order that we might experience His friendship together…and that’s such very Good News!
“When the bottom falls out and disappointments come, you will learn what you believe, what you love, and what you treasure.”