JANUARY 27, Malachi 3:14, 15

Do you sometimes see children or adults who disobey God still getting ahead in life? Does it seem to you that sometimes those who cheat, lie, disobey God get away with it and even prosper? In school, perhaps you have seen naughty kids pretend to be good in front of teachers and prefects, and get away with some prank. Your father may tell you that in the office, some people are just nasty, evil, and still manage to do well in the eyes of the world. Also, there are many who use the name of God in vain, and swear using the name of our precious Lord. Worse, some of them, as was the case in Malachi’s time and described in today’s text, go around discouraging people, telling them it was useless to obey God!

This is so unfair! Why doesn’t God see such injustices and punish those who go against Him? Of course God does. And God will. But God’s timing is not our timing. Only God knows what is the best time for everything. Be sure, no sin will go unpunished.

Dear child, God keeps an account of what men say and do. Although it may appear that those who go against God or accuse God go scot-free, one day, their sin will find them out. Dear child, do not fret when you see such people. Most of all, do not believe them when they say or tell you that God is not able to punish them. Instead, pray for them so they will understand what they do is wrong, and that one day, they will repent, and turn to God. That is not impossible, for nothing is impossible with God. That friend of yours who seems a very unlikely person to be saved – he may be by fervent prayer, and it starts with YOU. Put the name of such a friend in the blank below…

Gracious Lord, I want to pray for __________________
that he will understand what he is doing is wrong
and that one day, he may come
to know you are his personal Lord and Saviour.

Thought: May I always pray for some friends who are not saved.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know there are many out there who do not yet believe in You. I pray You may use me to witness to them, and to pray for them that one day, they may also know You as their Saviour. This I pray in Jesus’ name – Amen.