In the last three verses of our Old Testament, Malachi 4:4-6, two of the biggest figures of biblical history make a cameo appearance, Moses and Elijah, representatives of the law and the prophets and forerunners of Jesus.
Although we work for the growth of the kingdom, it grows mysteriously in ways that we cannot understand or control.
God has always been with his people, in various ways and temporarily in Old Testament times and later and permanently in human flesh.
While forgiving is always costly, those who have been forgiven can and must forgive others in turn.