MALACHI 2:7

“‘For the lips of a priest should maintain knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of armies.’”

I surrendered to full-time ministry at seventeen-years-old. Shortly after my salvation I heard God’s call on my life. I have to say that I didn’t really understand what that meant. Here I was a teenager who has given his life to serve the Lord wherever He may lead. Through all these years (I’m in my 45^th year of service) I have never doubted His calling. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have always been one of His messengers.

In part two of my memory passage (Malachi 2:6-7), the Lord reminds the priest of two other responsibilities – that his lips should preserve knowledge and that people should come to them for instruction. Why? Because they are His messengers, sent according to His direction to lead the people of Israel. That was a weighty role and one not taken lightly.

APPLICATION

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” The Greek word for “ambassadors” there means a trusted and respected ambassador who is authorized to speak as God’s emissary. So, we are given this responsibility as believers in Christ.

Therein lies the rub. Did you see what that word meant? It said an ambassador is to be a “trusted and respected” person. That’s where so many of us fall short. We don’t live our lives worthy of this calling. We don’t live trusted and respected lives. We don’t represent our God as we should with our lives, so our messages fall short.

I try to make sure my life is reflective of the Gospel every day. Do I always succeed? To be honest – no. Some days I fall short. I am not as Christlike as I should be. But I know my talk is only as affective as my walk. The same is true of you. Be God’s messenger. Be worthy of His calling.

I am honored to be Your messenger, Lord. Help me walk worthy of that calling.