Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a

See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

Reflection:

Wow, those were some heavy words by Malachi. If you want people who did you wrong to get what is coming to them, it seems like it will happen according to the prophet Malachi. I am not big on wanting bad things to happen to others, though. Malachi is really trying to get people’s attention with this prophecy. This is real fire and brimstone writing. Malachi is using “scare tactics” to get people to follow God. I am not heavy on fire and brimstone though; I am all about love and forgiveness. In the final part of these verses, I can see that. I believe that the sun of righteousness is referring to the Son of God. I see that the healing in its wings is the forgiveness we receive from Jesus dying on the cross. Malachi wants people to revere God’s name. We, too, in our daily life should honor and follow God. In doing that we can be examples to others. In loving them I hope they can find their way to follow God, not in scaring them like Malachi does.

–Charlene Rineer

Prayer: 

Good and gracious God, we thank you that you sent your son to the earth to heal our brokenness and forgive us from our sins. May we daily honor you and follow your ways. May we be shining examples of your love to all those around us so they to may honor and glorify you all the days of their lives too.

Amen.