Malachi came onto the scene in a period of spiritual stagnation. The temple had been built and the last prophets had come and gone many decades before. When the temple was completed, the people expected a great manifestation of the glory of God to fill the holy place again as Ezekiel had foreseen. But no such thing happened. So, they felt that God had forgotten them and, in response, they began to forget about God. They kept up the habit of temple worship, but it was no more than a habit. For most people it was becoming a religious obligation and a burden. They did the least they felt they could get away with. People who feel that God is uninterested in them will inevitably grow uninterested in God. If we feel forgotten by God, we will begin to forget God. Malachi was sent by God to remind his people of his everlasting commitment to them. Not only had God not forgotten his people, but, as Malachi expresses, he was grieved at their unbelief. He was grieved at how much they had underestimated his love for them. We may neglect our relationship with God, but God never neglects us. He is always working for our good, and he pursues us continually when we stray. If you feel neglected by God, then know that God cannot neglect his people. It sounds strange to say that God cannot do something. But it is only true because God has committed himself to us by an everlasting covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. He is always faithful to his commitments. He cares about you. That is for sure.
Acknowledge God’s faithfulness and love for you.
Read Malachi 1
