PODCAST
At The Door
November 30th, 2012
Malachi 2:17—3:12
Spiritual lethargy had infected Israel. Malachi, the final prophetic voice of the Old Testament, warns of a coming day of destruction that “will burn like a furnace” (4:1). Israel’s spiritual decay had led them to doubt God’s love. “Whatever! It doesn’t make any difference,” was their operative doctrine. The religion of “good enough” had replaced “giving God the best” in their sacrifices, in their worship, in their home life, in their tithes and offerings.
God’s messenger was on the way. Like a herald he announces the coming of the Lord Almighty. His coming will be sudden. He will come as a “refiner and purifier of silver” (3:3). In the intense heat of his holy fire the dross, like the wheat chaff, will be burned away (Luke 3:17). Only the gold of true holiness and the silver of righteous obedience will remain.
Those who revere God’s name, those who have not allowed the cold fear and drowning despair of this world to drown out their devotional fire, for them “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays” (4:2).
Tags: Jesus
November 30th, 2012 at 6:01 am
“the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays”
The sun produces the brightest rays of light for our world. It is “essential” for our climate, emits the much needed vitamin D for our bodies, and produces the light in the mornings that helps us to wake from sleep.
Jesus is our standard of righteousness and our brightest spiritual light (John 8:12). He is essential in the fight of good verse evil (III John 1:11); and, He heals our personal emotional wounds along with some miracle healings to the body (Acts 3:16).
When we forgive others as Jesus forgave us, it brings healing into the body; whereas, a deep-seeded resentment (grudge) brings hardness to the heart (counteracting one of the attributes of love – not a keeper of wrongs –I Corinthians 13:5).
The division that Jesus brings (Luke 12:51) might just be a test (1 Corinthians 3:13) regarding our ability to forgive (Ephesians 4:32).
November 30th, 2012 at 7:12 am
Today I lift my friend Frank in prayer. Though he has struggled with heart disease and now the failure of his pace maker, he has not given up to fear and dispair – he has an unfailing faith in you Lord.
Let your righteousness rise with healing in it’s rays for Frank today.
In Jesus name.
November 30th, 2012 at 8:27 am
While I don’t know Steve or his friend, I would like to join with him in prayer for his friend.
Dear Heavenly Father, Steve has petitioned to you in Jesus’ name for his friend to have a healing in his body. While we don’t know Your Will regarding this situation, we know that You heal in many ways; and, Steve is hoping that You chose to help his friend in a way that helps Steve remain close to him and You at the same time. May Steve’s faith have endurance and persistence in You.
IN JESUS’ NAME, Amen!