Malachi 3:13-18
November 23, 2025
A few weeks ago a group of fire inspectors from the county came here to inspect our facility. As they were going through the inspection they had several questions about our facility, but there were two that bothered me. First, they noticed that a ceiling tile was missing in each of the closets on your left and right. I explained that we had some people doing some work in the ceiling and they had just moved the tiles out of the way. They said since the tiles were not in place, that was considered a failure. I asked if I could move the tiles in place while they were here and they said, “No, but we will come back next Tuesday to make sure they are in place.”
Then they wanted to know why our sprinkler system was not up to date on its inspection. I explained that it was up to date as we hire a company to do that inspection every year and they just did it last month. I offered to show them the inspection paperwork if they wanted to see it. They said, “No, the company is responsible to turn that paperwork into us and since they did not turn it in, that’s a failure.” “But I have the paperwork to proves it was done,” I explained, “I will show it to you.” They said, “No, the company has to send it in to us, so you need to contact the company and tell them to send it in.” “But why can’t I send it to you?” I asked. “That’s not the way it works,” they said, “we will be back next Tuesday to check on those tiles and to let you know if we have the sprinkler system paperwork.” The inspectors could tell I was a little frustrated and as they left they said, “We are here to help if you have questions.” I must admit I found myself thinking, “Right, thanks for nothing.”
I’m sure we’ve all heard or used that expression, “Thanks for nothing.” People use this expression when they are upset with what a person did or did not do. As we prepare for our national day of Thanksgiving, I’m sure this phrase may sound a little bit odd. It may sound like I’m suggesting that we should thank God for nothing, and in a sense that is exactly what I am saying. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul says that we should “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” All circumstances, not just during the good times, but also in bad times and when there appears to be nothing for which to give thanks.
It is easy to be thankful during fun special moments, such as graduation, getting married, the birth of a child, or when family and friends come for a visit. But when I’m sick, when my car breaks down, when I argue with someone I love, or when things do not work out as I had planned, I’m usually not praising God or giving thanks during those moments. But God would not expect us to give thanks when we are in the midst of pain, suffering, or hardship. To thank God for the difficult times in one’s life implies that God is somehow responsible for the dark times of our lives. The fact is, God is not responsible for our problems. He does not find any joy when we are struggling. He is not the author of evil.
However, whatever the source of our problems, the message is the same – give thanks. But how can we be thankful at all times, especially during the hard times? The answer is actually reflected in some of the lights in this building. If I had all of the lights in this building turned off, but then had one light shining right at me, where would my shadow be? Behind me, right? Imagine for a moment that my shadow symbolizes those dark times in life when we go through crises, struggles, worries, and heartaches. Now, there can never be a shadow unless there is light. My point is, there can never be dark, shadowy, painful moments in our lives without the presence of God’s reassuring light. He is always with us, in all circumstances. When my shadow is behind me, that means the light is in front of me. But if I turn and face my shadow, where is the light? Behind me. Now this is obvious when it comes to tangible lights and shadows we can see, but it is not so obvious when we talk about spiritual matters.
The reason why it seems so ridiculous to talk about giving thanks in the midst of difficult circumstances is that we have this tendency to turn away from the light of Christ and focus entirely on our shadows. This is what the Israelites were experiencing in our Old Testament lesson for today from the book of Malachi. They were trying to obey God, but they still had struggles and difficulties in their lives. And in their struggles, they started to focus on their shadows and they wondered where God was in their lives. In verses 14-15, the people said, “What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? Evil doers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.” In other words, they wanted to know where were the rewards for being faithful? At this point they were so discouraged that they figured it was futile to serve God, because it appeared that those who did evil prospered, while they struggled. This is true in our own lives. Sometimes it seems like those who reject God and do evil prosper, while we suffer. So often in our world today, immorality is portrayed as being acceptable. Public figures can live immoral personal lives and still be praised as great leaders.
When we see those who reject God and yet prosper in this world, it is very easy for us to ask, “What do we gain by serving God?” When all we see is the darkness of our problems, we may feel like God has abandoned us.
But it is not helpful to stare at the shadowy darkness in our lives unless we remember that the light of Christ is right behind us to support us in the work of serving God and loving one another. God assured the people through the prophet Malachi that this world is not the end saying in verse 17, “They shall be mine in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” God says there is another world, there is more to come, the kingdom of light, the heavenly kingdom of eternal joy, and for those who believe and honor God’s name are God’s treasured possession, and they, along with all of us, will be treated with the compassion that a loving father has toward his child.
When we are aware of the light of Christ, which give us warmth, strength, and understanding, then we can give thanks in all circumstances. We don’t give thanks for the pain and suffering at the moment, but we may at some point in the future knowing that the light of Christ was with us during those dark moments.
How much does God care for us? I once heard it described this way: Imagine a management company trying to organize the crowds that came to be baptized by John the Baptist. The company sets up tables and has name tags to fill out for all of the people, but below a person’s name they are to write their greatest sin. So when a person comes to the table they are asked, “What’s your first name?” “Dean.” “Dean” is then written on that man’s name tag in permanent ink. Then he is asked, “What is your worst sin, Dean?” Dean says, “I stole money from my company.” Therefore, below his name the word “embezzler” is written in ink, but not permanent ink. The next person is asked the same questions: “What is your name?” “Tabitha,” says a young woman. And she is asked, “Tabitha, what is your worst sin?” Tabita says, “I gossiped about some of my neighbors I don’t like.” The organizers then write, “Gossiper” below Tabitha’s name. And it goes on and on: “George – Adulter; Kate – Murder;” and so on. Those with name tags line up to be baptized, but then Jesus comes along and as He walks by every person in line, He takes their name tags and puts them on Himself. Jesus is baptized by John and the water washes away the sin from every name tag He wears. Jesus keeps the name tags and tells the people, “You are mine. Your sins have been washed away, you are forgiven.” Therefore, we should always thank God for nothing – meaning there no sins by our name and He holds nothing against us.
All of us will someday walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But all of us can overcome the fear of darkness by the grace of God as we take in the light of Christ: the light that is in His Word, the light that is in the waters of Baptism, the light that is in Communion, and the light of Christian fellowship and worship. With that much light surrounding us, with so much light from God strengthening and comforting us, we can face the darkness of any situation and at the same time give thanks to God who sustains us in all circumstances.
