Malachi 3:16-17
"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. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."
Have you ever heard someone called a “God-fearing man”? I believe our verses this morning show us a couple of traits that a God-fearing man has and the blessing of leading that sort of life.
First of all, a God-fearing man is different. If you have read the rest of the Book of Malachi, God has been speaking to the wicked—those who offer sick lambs, who rob God of His tithes and offerings, and when God convicts or points out their sin, instead of repenting, they deny it: “Wherein have we robbed thee?” This question is a theme of the whole book. God convicts them over and over, and they deny God’s allegations again and again. Imagine how bold a man must be to stand before the omnipotent Judge of all the earth—the one whose eyes see everything, whose ears hear everything, whose heart discerns every intention, and whose mind knows every thought. To have such boldness, you must lack any fear for the God you stand before; you have no fear of His power, no fear of His office, no love for Him who chastens you for His great love's sake. The God-fearing man is altogether different. He fears God. He knows when God says, “You have robbed me,” or “You have defiled my sacrifices,” then surely he has, and his heart is convicted. He longs to be restored to the God he has offended.
A God-fearing man will associate with other God-fearing men: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another.” They gravitate toward each other; their spirits bear witness one with another. Dear reader, do you gather with the saints? Do you speak OFTEN to your brothers and sisters in Christ? A God-fearing man gets his family up on Sunday morning and goes down to the local assembly of believers, finding his fellowship and camaraderie among others like him. And as often as the doors of the church are open, he delights in being there and fellowshipping with the believers.
A God-fearing man is not only proven by the outward life he lives but by the inward man he is. They are referred to as those “that thought upon His name.” A God-fearing man wakes up and thinks about his God. When he makes a large purchase, he thinks about his God. When he sits on the porch swing to rest and meditate, he thinks of his God. When he sees all the blessings in his life, his first thought is not, “Look what I have accomplished,” but “Look what God has done.” When he sees his wife and children, he thanks God for them. His whole inward life is consumed with thoughts of God, and, of course, what we are inwardly will always manifest itself outwardly. What consumes your thoughts? What sits on the throne of your heart? A God-fearing man is one who endeavors to love the Lord his God with all his heart, all his mind, and all his spirit.
The Lord has identified a few traits of a Godly man, but He also shows us some of his blessings.
Firstly, God listens to the God-fearing man: “The LORD hearkened, and heard it.” Did you know the Bible tells us that if we regard iniquity in our heart, our prayers will not be heard? The God-fearing man need not fear such a fate; his heart is too in love to harbor sins against the God of his affection. Since his heart hates the sin that threatens his walk with God, he is often confessing and forsaking it. As he does, God cleanses, forgives, and restores. Isn’t it wonderful to have someone to talk to that listens to you? To have a place to take all your burdens and unload them? Or someone who always gives good advice when you don’t know what to do? The God-fearing man has this relationship with God. He hears, answers, comforts, and instructs us as we pour out our hearts to Him.
A God-fearing man will be remembered by the Lord: “A book of remembrance was written.” God takes note of the God-fearing man’s life. He keeps a record of all the things he has done in service to his King. Jesus said not even a glass of water given in His name will be forgotten. As the God-fearing man does all that he does in the light of his God and strives to do everything of God, through God, and to God, God takes notes, keeps records, and tallies the accounts. On judgment day, rewards will be given to all those who feared His name. Some will receive more than others, but all who feared Him and served Him honestly will be rewarded according to their labors.
Lastly, a God-fearing man will be spared: “I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” It isn’t that the God-fearing man is perfect, but he is forgiven; he is spared. Maybe this whole time, you’ve thought, “If I can be a God-fearing man, then I’ll enjoy these benefits,” but the truth is, no man can be this—we must be made this. We must be born again, saved, brought to new life in Jesus Christ. This takes place when a person repents, turns from their sins, and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. In a moment of time, we are saved, changed, and given a new heart, one that now loves and fears the God we once dismissed and despised. These people will be spared, forgiven, and treated like the Son of God. The Bible tells us that as many as have believed on Christ, to them gave He power to become the sons of God. A God-fearing man is a son of God.
Are you a “God-fearing man”?
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