Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. - Malachi 3:16
Have you ever listened in on your kids’ conversations? Ok, I admit I have. But it wasn’t to be a busybody in their personal conversations. With a 16-year-old and a 23-year-old at home, I make it my business to know what’s going on with them.
It’s not to be nosey, but out of concern and to be aware of what’s happening in their lives.
Let’s face it our children don’t always tell us everything. Clearly, there is too much going on in this evil world for us to be absentee parents.
If it sounds like my kids are struggling with an issue, I want them to know I’m here if they need to talk.
Likewise, God listens in on His children too and not to be a busybody either.
We have opportunity in our everyday conversations with others to speak of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
We know that God hears us when we pray, but He also listens in to hear what His children are saying about Him. Malachi gives us a glimpse of this in chapter 3 beginning in verse 13:
13 “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord. “But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’
We have opportunity in our everyday conversations with others to speak of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Our prayers, our dialogue about things that happen to us, and even things taking place on the earth.
I find it sobering know that God is “eavesdropping” in on our conversation.
Sobering because our conversations don’t always reflect the heart of God. Just look at how God exposes the temple priests’ conversations about Him.
14 “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”
The priests may not have said these things outright verbally, but their hearts and actions spoke differently. The Lord admonished them, saying that their words have been harsh towards Him.
Evidently the priests didn’t get the memo from Proverbs 23:7 that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
In their hearts and actions, the priests felt like God wasn’t paying attention.
They were wrong. The priests assumed God didn’t care what they did. They became indifferent about serving the Lord because they felt it was pointless.
So it is with us if we’re not careful to guard ourselves in our conversations. It’s very easy to bemoan our circumstances without realizing how we sound to God.
Is God a busybody? No, but He is a concerned parent of His children.
Social media is a prime example that a lot of conversations amongst believers centered on what is happening in our country are not “godly”.
As followers of Christ, we’re to communicate with each other not with murmurings and complaining, (Philippians 2:14). But with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).
In contrast, when you read verse 16, we get a peek at how the Lord views the conversations of His children who honor and glorify His name.
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.
Is God a busybody? No, but He is a concerned parent of His children.
We should never underestimate that the Lord knows our hearts and thoughts, even the words we say before we say it.
Ultimately, our Heavenly Father is waiting to hear His children speak of Him and acknowledge Him their everyday communication.
He’s listening to us as a loving Father and is ready to bless and answer our prayers as He keeps our names in His Book of Remembrance.
Be Encouraged!
Stephanie
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