Do You Want to Fit-IN?

My Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, Christians in Malachi's time faced the same challenges Christians face today. The Israelites had returned home and rebuilt the temple. Yet, there were some people who did not repent of their ways. Also, they were disappointed because God did reside in the temple as he had in the past. There was skepticism about God’s plan for their future. This prompted complaints that it is was futile to serve God. They asked, "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" (Malachi 3:14-15). It was obvious that if you did not "fit-in" in the past or in the present, you would lose out. We can learn from the Christians in Malachi's time to meet with like-minded believers to encourage each other. God notices and cares for all who fear and honor Him. He doesn’t call us to “fit in” but to draw closer to Him each day as we encourage each other.