Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, How have we spoken against you?You have said, It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape. (v.13-15)
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. (v.16)
God’s Library & Ledgers (OT)
-David knew about the “book” and the “book of the living” (Ps 56:8; 69:28)
-Moses knew about the “book” (Ex 32:32-34)
-Nehemiah knew about God’s record-keeping (Neh 13:14)
-Daniel knew about the “book” (Dan 12:1)
God’s Library & Ledgers (OT)
The apostles would come to know it too.
-“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:21)
-Paul knew about the “book of life” (Phil 4:3)
-John knew about the “book of life” and the “Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 3:5; 20:12-15; 21:27)
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. (v.17-18)
Summary Points:
-The Lord cannot and will not forget His people.
-In distress or uncertainty, victory is as near as recounting His goodness. Name His excellencies.
-You belong to Him, dear believer.