Malachi

Today marks the day that I have read the entire Old Testament!  Wow…I feel a bit like the Little Engine that Could.  I chose to take this Bible Reading journey in a chronological way, and I am so glad that I did, because in a way I am walking the journey with the Israelites.

I’ve been with them as they were given the covenant with Abraham…as Moses led them out of Egypt…as they repeatedly messed up and then turned back to the Lord.  I was right there when David knocked Goliath out and when Solomon built the temple.  I was also virtually there when the Babylonians overtook Jerusalem and stole precious items from the temple.  I watched as the people cried out in terror and were carried off to Babylon.  I cheered when Nehemiah was given permission to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and the remnant of Israel returned.  I marveled whenever I came across a prophesy in the Old Testament that Jesus later fulfilled.

Through it all, I see that God wants our whole hearts.  He does not want to share us with anyone or anything else.  The idols of today look different than the ones fashioned out of wood or clay…but they are there.  Sometimes I wonder if the social media frenzy has become somewhat of an idol…I recently read an report that browsing Facebook has heroin-like addictive qualities.  Gross.  That’s enough to make want to delete my account!

The Lord wants us to always honor his Name.  In the words of Malachi:

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.

I want my name to be on that scroll!  May His glory shine through this meager effort of mine to get to know Him more.  And for this small milestone of making it through the Old Testament…I have to give Him all the glory for keeping me on this path!