Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

A PENNY, NO, A FORTUNE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

The annals of history provide peepholes into the spectrum of man’s environment from his best to his worst. Most encouraging are those that show spiritual and moral triumph under adverse conditions. Such was the case in the days of the prophet Malachi. His generation would be the last to have the comfort of communication from God, embarking upon the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments.

So soon had the Jewish society forgotten the lesson of Babylonian captivity. Their conduct toward God, and toward one another was atrocious and despicable. In that day, and through the last of Old Testament spokesmen, God sent a strong message of great clarity. He began by reaffirming His great love for the sons of Jacob. Next He points out the great sins of the nation in their disrespect for God, His Word. and His service, including their dog eat dog relationships with one another. It is so applicable to society today, but God is to be praised that it does not permeate His true churches as it has religion in general.

Through Malachi, God gave prophetic promises of great comfort to those who had ears to hear. God’s messenger would visit His people. Elijah (John the Baptist) would return to set the hearts of children to their parents and parents to their children.

It was then that “. . .they that feared the Lord often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” 3:16-17.

Let us all learn that training our thoughts on the Lord and His Word is profitable for life here and now. Additionally, it is nothing short of the pathway to eternal riches. It is written in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end,”

A penny for your thoughts? No, no! Cheapskate! God says, properly directed, they are worth a fortune, eternally!

FOR THOUGHT: Do you know that your thoughts have great value? They are leading you to pursue righteousness or they are leading you into destruction. Either way, they are powerful. Since each person may control his thoughts ( note Philippians 4:8), what are you doing with your thoughts? What do you choose to think about?