Our Unchanging, Merciful God (Malachi 3:6)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
14 December 2025
God is unchanging. The weather changes. Circumstances change. But God is constant.
Malachi declared this to Israel 400 years before Jesus was born. Malachi was a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Israel must cross this bridge. We all cross bridges in life.
God’s constancy is seen in his continuing mercy. The Lord made a covenant with Israel. Because of this covenant he is merciful to his people. Covenant and mercy go together. What God promises he shall keep.
God withholds justifiable wrath. He did not consume Israel for her sins. But how did Israel sin?
Her people were ignorant. God loved them but they responded by asking “How have you loved us?” They were ignorant of God’s love.
The people were indifferent to the religion God gave them. They offered the blind, the lame, the sick and the stolen — polluted offerings!
The priests were slothful. They did not take the matters to heart. They departed from God’s ways and caused many to stumble at the law of God.
The people did not tithe what was required. Yet God promised them he would open the windows of heaven and pour out his blessings if Israel would only obey him.
Despite all the failings of the people, the Lord did not consume Israel. His mercy continued to be upon them. The Lord is unchanging.
His mercy to Israel is seen in the revealing of two future messengers. The f irst messenger is John the Baptist referred to as Elijah (Mal 4:5). The second messenger is Jesus Christ referred to as the Messenger of the covenant (Mal 3:1). God prophesied redemption for his people.
Jesus, the Messenger of the covenant, would refine his people. He would purify them. Sins would be forgiven and God’s people would be accepted by him. Furthermore, the Gentiles would be converted and the Lord’s name be great among the nations. God’s mercy extends to the whole human race.
Jesus would also materially bless his people. He would open the windows of heaven and rain blessing upon them. What Israel withheld from God, God would not withhold from them. Such is his mercy.
Israel must cross the bridge. We must cross the bridges before us. Trust in the Lord. He is merciful. He has not consumed us. All this is seen in the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is our Saviour. Follow him always. Bless his holy name.