” At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.” (Malachi 3:16, BSB).

A scroll of remembrance was written before Him, regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. God listens in on our conversations. He takes notes! What are you saying about Him?

This verse is talking about those who feared the Lord. They spoke to one another in the fear of the Lord and honored His name. How can you honor or dishonor God when you are talking to others? I’ll give you an example from scripture. Ezra honored God by what he said and by what he didn’t say. This is Ezra 8:22, “For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, ‘The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him’” (ESV).

Ezra honored God with his words by telling the king that God’s hand was on those who sought Him for good, and that His wrath was for those who forsake Him. He knew God was good and was for those who were for Him. He spoke of a God that could be trusted to only do good to those who followed Him. Ezra and the rest of the Israelites joining him on a four-month journey back to Jerusalem, were carrying with them piles of gold, silver, and bronze.

There was a reason to be concerned about thieves along the way, but Ezra chose to honor the name of God instead of obeying any fear he might have felt. He didn’t turn to an earthly king for protection when he had a heavenly king already guarding him in all his ways.

He was embarrassed to ask for help. We should be embarrassed to turn to other methods of “saving” ourselves from our situations. We have a great God who offers us SO GREAT A SALVATION! Do you honor God with what comes out of your mouth? Do you speak like He is God, King, Ruler of the Universe, Ruler of all the Thrones of Earth, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Perfect in All His Ways, Faithful, Trustworthy, Mighty to Save, and always, always good to His children?