The Lord's Messenger

The Lord’s Messenger

If you know the Lord Jesus as personal Savior and Lord, you are “THE LORD’S MESSENGER.” This can be said “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) Likewise, “Faithful is HE who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Less we forgot, “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Fellow servants, it is an honor to be THE LORD’S MESSENGER and sent on His errands, regardless, if it is known among the masses or carried out behind the scenes. The God who knows the heart of all men will see your good works: “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” (Hebrews 6:10)

There are three attributes THE LORD’S MESSENGER needs to understand to fulfill his/her role on earth. These attributes are addressed in Malachi 2:7. Remember as you read Malachi 2:7, the Bible states the believer in Christ is a member of the Royal Priesthood. The Apostle Peter says of the Christian: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who ahs called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9) The Apostle John further emphasized this truth in Revelation 1:6: “and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory an the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Having established this truth, listen to this wonderful verse in Malachi 2:7: “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.”

First, the Lord’s messenger is AN AMBASSADOR OF THE WORD OF GOD – “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge…” Ezra is a fine example to examine in the Old Testament. He was one of the sons of Aaron, a priestly line, and his name signifies “helper”, which the Lord’s Message is to be. Listen what is said of Ezra in the Bible: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it…” (Ezra 7:10) Notice Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord. The word set means to establish, fix, prepare or apply. Literally, set in this context means, “to be erect or stand perpendicular.” One gets the image of a fence post firmly fixed in the ground so it cannot be shaken by forces nature might bring against it. Likewise, Ezra’s heart involved not just the emotions but the intellect and will. So, he firmly established his very being to search for and pursue the meaning of Scripture. He was established in the faith so he wasn’t toss by every wind of doctrine.

As the Lord’s messenger, you are exhorted to do the same. The Apostle Paul tells you to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Likewise, you are advised to “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2) And this should be done “not by way of eye service, as men pleasers, but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.” (Ephesians 6:6) The best teacher is one who is always a student and always learning. Notice this knowledge is not only in your head but also on your lips. For you to preserve knowledge – it must be on the tip of your tongue – “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15)

The story is told by Dr. Howard Hendricks of a professor who made an impact on his life Dr. Hendricks often saw him pouring over his books. One day, Hendricks asked him, “Doctor, I’d like to know, what is it that keeps you studying? You never cease to learn.” He answer: “Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream that from a stagnant pool.” That should be our desire as the Lord’s messenger: To keep those God brings across our path drinking from a running stream of Living water not the cesspool of the world.