Then once more you will see that I make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not.
Malachi 3:18 NET
Does it ever seem like the ungodly do better in life than the godly? Are you ever tempted to ask yourself what value there is in serving the Lord? If so, then Malachi 3:13-4:3 has an answer for you.
The passage begins with people expressing those very thoughts. “It is useless to serve God. It is gaining us nothing.” And “Those who practice evil are more successful.” There seemed to be no downside to disregarding God and living life on their own terms. In fact, it seemed advantageous.
But some among the people respected the Lord, and the Lord took notice of them. Their names were written on a scroll, and they were considered to be God’s special property. And, in days to come, God would spare them.
When that happened, it would become obvious that God makes a distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Between those who serve God and those who don’t. The coming day will burn up the wicked like chaff while the righteous will skip about like calves released from their stall.
These words should encourage us to be faithful to the Lord, even when sometimes there seems to be no value in it. When serving the Lord makes you an outsider. When you struggle in life. And when all around you, those who reject the Lord seem to be better off than you.
There is coming a day when all that will change. The wicked may prosper now. But their judgment is coming. And the godly may suffer and struggle now. But great joy awaits us on that day. So hang in there. It will be worth it.
