“You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’ ” Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
—-Malachi 3:13-18

~~~~~

Jewels of God
By Jennifer Kane

God always has His jewels—
set apart, shining in His hands.
Even if the world turns its back,
even if faith grows dim in others,
you can still be one of His treasures.

Like diamonds pressed by time,
His people stand firm, unshaken,
enduring trials with a brilliance
that only fire can refine.

They gleam with a luster not their own,
catching the light of the Son,
reflecting His truth, His love,
His unbreakable promise.

Rare and chosen,
not made by human hands,
but shaped in the depths of God’s will,
each one unique, each one valued.

Scattered across the earth,
some rest in hidden places, unseen,
while others gleam in royal crowns,
set before the King of Kings.

Some are rough, waiting to be polished,
still bearing the marks of the world,
yet even in their raw form,
they are precious in His sight.

Guarded, treasured,
sealed in His care—
for the Lord knows His own,
and His jewels will never be lost.

~~~~~

Scriptures: Malachi 3:13-18

Have you ever looked at the world and felt discouraged? Maybe you’ve seen people who ignore God yet seem to thrive—gaining wealth, power, or influence—while those who remain faithful struggle. It’s an age-old frustration. The Israelites in Malachi’s time echoed this complaint: “What’s the point of serving God?”

But God heard those who remained faithful. He took notice of those who still feared Him, those who honored His name despite the world’s seeming injustice. He declared that they were His “treasured possession” (Malachi 3:17). He promised a coming day when the difference between the righteous and the wicked would be made clear.

It can be easy to focus on temporary success, but God’s view is eternal. The wicked may appear to flourish for a time, but their prosperity is fleeting. True blessing comes from belonging to God. He sees your faithfulness, remembers your devotion, and values you more than you can imagine. The world may not recognize your obedience, but heaven records it.

If you’ve been feeling weary in your walk with God, take heart—He sees you, and He treasures you. Take a moment to reflect on what it means to be God’s treasured possession. How does this truth change the way you view your struggles?

~~~~~

My Heavenly Father, when I am tempted to compare my life with the world’s definition of success, remind me that I am Your treasured possession. Strengthen my heart to remain faithful, trusting that Your justice and reward are sure. Help me to fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is eternal. In Jesus name I ask, amen.

March 19 2025