God can read man like a book. Because He is omniscient and can see into every heart, He knows our thoughts, motives and deeds. No detail in life is too small or insignificant. A sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His knowledge, and the hairs on our head are all numbered (Matthew 10:29-30). David says in Psalm 56 that his tears are stored in a bottle in heaven.
Not only does He see and know all, He records all. God keeps books on the affairs of men. One day we all will stand before the judgment seat of Messiah and give account of our lives. The book of life will be opened and only those names found inscribed will be welcomed into heaven. The others will be sent to torment in the lake of fire. The consequences of making the wrong choice – rejecting Yeshua and His free gift of grace – are so dire that the Lord interrupts a celebration by 70 of His disciples to stress this point in Luke 10:17-20. The men have returned from the mission field with joy, informing the Master that even the demons are subject to them in His name. But He responds, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Another book critical to the spiritual welfare of a believer is found in Malachi 3:16-18. It is called the book of remembrance and is found only in this Old Testament passage. Because God does not change, it is reasonable to assume this book remains open. Christians should desire inclusion in this book because it is a barometer of our relationship with Adonai. If our relationship is right with Him – and we know by the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit (Romans 8:16) – our names are secure in the book of life.
So what merits inclusion in the book of remembrance? In Malachi, a few pious Jews remain loyal to Him despite growing apostasy and apathy in Jerusalem. God acknowledges their devotion in these two verses:
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."They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts,
"On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him."Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.
Look what moves God's heart here. It isn't a building program or 40 days of purpose. His gaze is locked on a few individuals who fear His name and talk about Him among themselves. How would that look today? Maybe you and a Christian friend go out for coffee, sit at a corner table and share how God has worked in and through you that week. You are oblivious to the people around you. Your conversation is focused on the beauty of Adonai and His Word. But you are not alone. As we see in Malachi, God eavesdrops. Your words are so satisfying that He calls you a jewel and arms you with discernment. The book of remembrance is a romance book, and we are invited to be the objects of His affection.
Posted by Jeff King at April 7, 2005 10:53 AM