December 31, 2014

Now is the time...

Malachi 3:1-5

“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come into His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom you desire. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord Almighty. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can withstand His appearance? For He enters like a refiner's fire and as soap in one's wash. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver and gold. He will purify the sons of Levi and pour them out as purified gold and silver, and they will bring an offering to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old, as in former years.

“And I will draw near to you in judgment, a swift witness against sorcerers, adulterers, those who swear falsely by My name, those who exploit wage- earners, those who oppress widows and afflict orphans, those who pervert the justice due foreigners, and those who do not fear Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

Encouraging Words and Personal Challenge...

In the day of Malachi (~500 years before Christ) a new temple had been consecrated and the people restored. And yet, they were grumbling and complaining against God. Here Malachi prophecies of the coming messenger, the forerunner John, who will be proclaiming the coming of the Son of God, both the Redeemer and the Judge. We live in the age of redemption where we have the opportunity and responsibility to proclaim His love, redemption, and grace to all those around us. This is also an age of refinement where we are being cleansed and purified through our trials and tribulations to be more like Him. Now is the time to live for Him. Now is the time to humble ourselves before Him. Now is the time to follow in His steps and to love our neighbor and take care of the the widow, the orphan, and the poor amongst us.