A messenger of the Lord Almighty

A messenger of the Lord Almighty 

Scripture :

“My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. Malachi 2:5-7

Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

“The man who hates and divorces his wife, ” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. Malachi 2:15-16

Observation:

In the first Scripture, we see the Lord’s expectation of those who are priests. We who are in Christ are called to be a kingdom of priests, so in a way, this calling is also for us. Indeed, in a workplace or neighborhood where we are among unbelievers, we are often God’s only messengers and intermediaries on their behalf, and it is our duty to care for them and pray for them.

What are the characteristics God requires of a priest? A priest must revere God and stand in awe of His name. When we worship, we must revere God. Worship is not a chore to be done over with. It is a precious time of adoration of the living God. Secondly, the priest has true instruction in his mouth and no falsehood on his lips. Speaking the truth is something very important for us in God’s eyes. Thirdly, he walks with God in peace and uprightness and turns many from sin. It is so important for us to have a lifestyle of walking with God, communing with Him daily in prayer and Bible reading. To walk with God is to walk in peace and uprightness. Integrity is something we should all aim for in life. Also, we must not be afraid to speak up, to voice out against unrighteousness, and in so doing, to have the opportunity to turn others from sin.

In the second Scripture, we see how the Lord feels about divorce, which He hates! Marriage is instituted by God, and it is God’s will for a man to watch over and protect his wife. And the Lord loves godly offspring. That is why it is so important for us to teach our children well from young to walk with God.

Application:

Recognize our calling as priests, as intermediaries between the lost and God. Desire to inculcate a lifestyle of walking with God and in deep worship for Him. Let truth and peace and uprightness be part of our character for God. Pray to God for boldness to speak up when we need to stand up for righteousness. Remember the holiness of the sacrament of marriage, and ask God for strength to be faithful to our vows. Pray regularly for God’s blessing and peace upon our children, and teach them to walk with God as best we can, led by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

We praise You O Lord, for You have called us to be priests, who bring others to you, and Your truth to them. Help us O Lord walk with You daily, in deep adoration and worship. Let uprightness and peace and truth be found in us and give us boldness to stand up for the truth. Let us be faithful to our partners we pray, and good teachers for our children, that they may walk with you too. In Jesus name, Amen.