Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.”

Malachi 3:16-17

Then—Malachi’s words cut to the core of those who feared the LORD. Having come to their senses and repented of any personal falling away, they got together to talk it over. The Hebrew suggests this was not just one meeting, but occurred regularly and nurtured their faith. I cannot help but think they spent a lot of time speaking about the goodness of God in their lives—they honored His name!  

Soon someone grabbed ink and pen and a scroll. Together they wrote down all those great attributes of the Almighty—their scroll of remembrance—and signed their names. As Constable says, it was a “statement of their commitment to Yahweh in faith that they were disassociating themselves from the prevailing sins, that his promises were reliable, and that his covenant was to be kept.”*

Charity Gayle’s 2021 “New Name Written Down in Glory” popped into my mind:

 “I was lost in shame, could not get past my blame,

   Until He called my name.”

But now: “I’ve met the author of my story And He’s mine, yes, He’s mine.”

Well, the LORD “pricked up His ears” according to the Hebrew qashab and paid attention (shama) to what they were saying. Right then and there He claimed them: “They will be mine,” says the LORD.

Great things are going to happen in that day when God makes up His treasured possession. The Almighty will spare you from the wrath you deserve. You who believe in the Lord and confess His name—you who serve Him—will be His.

And yes, those friends who fear the Lord—stick close to them. They will be a constant reminder to honor His name and to serve Him. Above all remember there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). What a friend we have in Jesus!

Nancy P

*Thomas Constable, Sonic Light 

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.