ODJ: The Red Notebook

November 24, 2017 

READ: Malachi 3:6-18 

A scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honour of his name (v.16).

Since my children have been able to speak, I’ve recorded things they’ve said in a red notebook which now features a bent cover and curled page corners. A few times each year we read through the entries and reminisce about the (mostly) funny and (occasionally) insightful things the kids said as toddlers and young children. Some of the entries mark moments I still recall, but others would be lost forever if it weren’t for the red notebook.

The Old Testament prophet Malachi spoke about a book (or scroll) of remembrance. It contained the names of a group of people within the Jewish nation. God considered those people to be a special treasure because they “feared him and always thought about the honour of his name” (3:16). They remained faithful when others decided it was useless to serve and obey Him.

The ones who abandoned God asked, “What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show [the Lord] that we are sorry for our sins? . . . For those who do evil get rich” (vv.14-15). This sense of disillusionment is familiar to many of us. Consistently serving God is often discouraging and it rarely leads to what we might desire. It can be frustrating when we face challenges though we’re striving to do what’s right.

How can we, like the people God treasured in Malachi’s day, honour Him? By submitting to His wisdom and guiding power. We can trust that, “[God] will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him” (Hebrews 6:10). If we truly know Him through His Son Jesus, our future with Him is secure. This means He will remember us in the life to come where we’ll enjoy His presence forever (Revelation 21:27).

—Jennifer Schuldt

365-day-plan: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13