The Book of Remembrance

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. “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. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:16–4:3
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The Book of Remembrance
The sixth part of the Book of Malachi begins, “For those who feared the LORD.” The Lord was not pleased with many of the hard words spoken against Him, but He responded positively to the words of those who still believed and kept the faith.  And their names were recorded in a book of remembrance. This is comparable to the Book of Life from Revelation 21:27. God will remember and deliver those who fear Him and esteemed His name. In contrast to the priests, who despised God’s name and turned to their wicked and idolatrous ways. Those who remain steadfast in the faith become “treasured possessions” of our Lord. The Lord assures those who fear Him that their service has not been in vain and that they will be spared on the Day of Judgment. God-fearing people know they are guilty according to God’s Law, but they also know God’s forgiveness leads them to love and trust Him all the more. Because of the sacrifice of Christ for us we have forgiveness, life, and salvation. So, we can sing with the psalmist, “My soul magnifies You, O Lord, for showing mercy to those who fear You.”
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