Not Consumed by Correction (Malachi 3:6)

⁶ For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Malachi 3:6 (KJV)

When an artist is drawing with a sketch pad and pencil and they make a correction, usually they will pull out an eraser of some kind and rub out the wayward mark. 

After they’ve finished with it, there is absolutely no trace of it ever being there, it has completely vanished. The word ‘consumed’ in the Hebrew negative form means just that. It means to vanish, to cease to be, it means to perish and to be destroyed. 

Unlike our artist, when God makes a correction it is never to destroy us and wipe us out, but to bring about a peaceable positive much-needed change so that we don’t miss our destiny. It is important for us to make peace with this truth. 

The author empathises with us in the letter to the Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 11 that no correction seems pleasant at the time, in fact, it can be quite painful, but then reassures us of the benefit; that it brings a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 

In our scripture God has had to bring some correction but wants His people to know that He hasn’t changed, He is still merciful, tender loving and kind. 

He lets us know that this is the reason why we have not been consumed. Not because we are a fantastic people that does everything right but because He is an awesome merciful God that loves us so much that He gave of Himself, His only begotten Son to pay the price for our sins so that we are not consumed. 

What is so beautiful about our process of correction is that nothing is wasted with God He can use our mess and mistakes to be a testimony to bless someone else who is going through something similar. 

This week we thank God with a heart of gratitude for His mercy in correcting us when we need it and trust that when we are experiencing difficulties as a result of our own doing. God is still merciful towards us and will not let us be destroyed. 

This is God’s word spoken in love. Remember The LORD our God, He is good and His mercies endure forever. May the blessings of the LORD overtake you and come upon you and His love surround you, for His glory. Have a blessed week. In Jesus Name.