In Psalm 144:1-8, we see another of David’s praises to God accompanied by his prayers for help from “the LORD our Rock” (verse 1). Here, we notice that it is God Who “trains” us for the “wars and battles” that we frequently face in life. Notice the battle-elements that David cites to describe God’s ministry of preparing us for spiritual warfare: He is a “loving fortress as well as a stronghold, a deliverer, and a shield in Whom we can take refuge” (verse 2). However, as a contrast, David also recognizes and understands what really matters – the great difference between God’s nature and man’s. Whereas God is eternal, we human beings are temporal. “Mere mortals,” David says. “Like a breath; our days are like a fleeting shadow” (verse 4). It is both a wonder and wonderful that God should “care for” or even “think about” us (verse 3). Mortal man will always be subordinate to and require the assistance of the immortal God, and anyone who thinks otherwise about this is simply misguided. For this reason, David pleads, “LORD, come down … reach down … deliver and rescue me” (verse 7). Who among us doesn’t need such help?
In Malachi 2:17-4:6, we come to the conclusion of the Old Testament. Malachi again points out the haughty attitudes of the post-exilic Jews and the arrogance of their questions about God’s goodness to them. Disdainfully, they ask, “How have we wearied Him?” (cf., 2:17; 3:7; 3:8; 3:13; and 3:14). In the penetrating light of God's faithfulness, we see another contrast. The Lord reminded the Israelites of their unfaithfulness (3:6). We need to be reminded often that God “does not change” (verse 6). Here, thankfully, we see that a faithful remnant of these people became convicted of Malachi’s messages from the Lord, and they drew up “a scroll of remembrance to honor His name” (verse 16). Thus, the Old Testament concludes with Malachi’s warning about the approaching Day of the Lord and its ultimate purpose to “burn evildoers (verse 1) and divide and separate them from those who revere God’s name” (cf., Malachi 4). God promises to send them Elijah – who will “turn back the hearts of the fathers (i.e., parents) and the children again to each other” (verse 6). As mortal beings, how often do we exchange the exquisite and the eternal glories of heaven for the tawdry and the temporal things of this world? We would do well to read this book of Malachi often for all its reminders of what really matters. Looking ahead to the end of the year, we will finish the rest of our Old Testament readings in the Psalms and Proverbs, and with Ezra and Nehemiah.
Today in Revelation 7, John introduces us to God’s 144,000, Jewish “servants” (verse 3) who receive His special seal of service for life during the tribulation. We have no reason to assume that any of the literary elements of chapter 7 can be understood only metaphorically. We do justice to the text by recognizing and understanding it literally and at face value. Interestingly, we notice that the ancient tribes of Dan and Ephraim are excluded from this list – probably because of their Old Testament apostasy as presented back in the book of Judges (cf., Judges 17-21). We also notice a marked distinction here: clearly, the 144,000 witnesses serve God’s purposes during the tribulation on earth. The “great multitude in white robes” (verse 9) are the martyrs who are already in heaven – “sheltered by God’s presence, never to hunger or thirst again, where God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (verses 15-17). We notice, too, that all the angels were standing around the throne … worshiping God, and saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (verses 11-12). Even the angels recognize what really matters.
A Note About Today's Artwork: "He Will Be Great ..." was Terri's design for a 1980 Christmas Card.
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