(3rd in a
series on Lent)
Malachi 2:17-3:5
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
Texting
is the high tech version of passing a note in school. Back in the day, girls
would pass notes to each other during class. No doubt they had their secret
tactics to make sure the teacher never observed their covert operations. After
all, these notes contained highly sensitive information; not meant for all to
see.
Malachi,
which means “my messenger”, didn’t text messages; nor did he pass notes. But he
was God’s messenger to the remnant of the Jews that had returned to Jerusalem.
The Jews had once again fallen into sin. To bring them hope of change, of purpose
and of redemption, God spoke these words through Malachi:
The Lord Almighty answers,
“I will send my messenger to prepare the way for
me. Then the Lord you are
looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see
will come and proclaim my covenant.” GNT
The
Bible is the story of God’s plan of redemption. From the Old Testament to the
New, God has been preparing for the redemption of Israel, and for the
redemption of all who would receive Him. In the above verse, Malachi prophesied
about John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for Jesus, the Messiah.
Throughout
the Bible, there were many messengers who prepared the way of the Lord. The
same is true in our individual lives. There have been people, places and
circumstances that God has used as messengers to prepare the way for the Lord
to touch our hearts and change our lives; in a word, to bring redemption.
In
the spirit of the Lenten season, which is a time for reflection and preparation
for Easter; who have the messengers been in your life? Who has been preparing
the way of the Lord for you? Who has spoken God’s word into your heart?
And
because the Good News is not personal information to be kept to ourselves, like
a
secret note being passed in class, to whom has God brought into your life for
you to be a messenger; for you to help prepare the way of the Lord?
(If
God has spoken to you through this devotional, please feel free to share it
with others.)
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