25th January, 2026
A Fountain Publication
The Lodestar
Online Magazine for the Thinking Christian
Devotional
The Book of Remembrance
"Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name" (Malachi 3:16)
By Paulson Pulikottil
The godly people question God’s justice when they see the wicked prospering despite their ungodly acts, but the righteous suffer. Their simple formula for life, that good people must prosper and the evil must be destroyed, does not always seem to work.
People in the days of Malachi complained that the Lord was not fair, as the wicked prospered, and those who feared the Lord suffered. They had come to believe that “It is vain to serve God” (Mal 3:14).
However, the Lord reminds the pious people who questioned his justice that though the righteous do not prosper as much as the wicked, that is not the end of the game. The final verdict is yet to come.
The Lord has not forgotten the pious, but he has kept “a book of remembrance” for them (Mal 3:16). In due time, the Lord will honour his people. However, the Lord does not use material success as a yardstick. He has distinguished between “the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him” (Mal 3:18). The Lord will be there for his people at the right time.
This reminds us of Mordecai and Esther. When Haman plotted to destroy the Jews because of his hatred for Mordecai, one night, the king went through the Book of Remembrance. He discovered from the records that Mordecai had saved the king’s life and was not rewarded for that brave act (Esther 6:1—11). The Book of Esther tells us that Mordecai was saved, his arch-enemy Haman was executed, and the order to kill Jews all over the empire of Persia was revoked.
If the Book of Remembrance of the Persian king averted a mass massacre and promoted Mordecai in the Persian empire, how much more would the Book of Remembrance that the Lord kept be in favour of his people?
When the good things we do go unnoticed and we are not rewarded immediately, we should know that our lives are recorded in the metaphorical “Book of Remembrance.” This reminds us not to be discouraged but to anticipate the Lord’s vindication in time.
(To receive these devotionals daily on WhatsApp, click here.)
Share this Article
Advertisements
Explore More on The Lodestar
Bible as Life’s Roadmap: Guidance for Morality, Wisdom, and Hope in Suffering
Ever felt lost at a crossroads in life, grappling with tough moral choices, financial pressures, or overwhelming suffering? The Bible offers a timeless roadmap, illuminating your path through...
Carried While Carrying: Finding God’s Strength Under the Weight of Life’s Responsibilities
Overwhelmed by life’s burdens? Discover God’s promise to sustain you. Biblical figures like Moses found strength beyond limits. Learn the paradox: carried while carrying.
The Paradox of Human Effort: Why Moral Willpower Fails without Heart Transformation in Christ
Tried being “good” through willpower? Apostle Paul exposes the paradox: “I do not do the good I want” (Rom 7:19). Discover why effort fails, self-deception hides flaws, and the biblical path to true...
Subscribe to our free weekly digest.
Join hundreds of others who have subscribed to our free weekly digest for inspiring news, faith, community, family, opinion, and culture content. Stay connected and nurture your spiritual growth with thought-provoking articles delivered straight to your inbox.
Join our growing community of readers today.