Upon hearing the Lord's rebuke through His prophet, some of Malachi's hearers who genuinely feared the Lord got together. Evidently they discussed Malachi's message and agreed among themselves that they needed to repent. Yahweh paid attention to their heart attitude and heard what they said. In His heavenly throne room angelic assistants wrote a permanent record that these individuals feared and respected Yahweh (cf. Exod. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Isa. 4:3; Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27).39When God deals with those individuals, He will remember their submission to Him.
"How can an individual remain faithful to God in a faithless world? Malachi gave three tips for developing a lifestyle of faithfulness.
• Vow to be faithful to God, even if those around you are not. Consider writing your own scroll of remembrance.'
• Surround yourself with a group of likeminded individuals for encouragement. This group talked with each other' (Mal. 3:16) as they encouraged each other to remain faithful (see Heb. 10:25).
• Remember that God's day of reckoning will come someday. Keep a long-range perspective (1 Cor. 3:12-15)."40
