Malachi 3:16-18, 4:2-3 16Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 17“On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. … 2But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty.
This passage from Malachi is one of my favorite passages because it is packed with so many details giving us hints and clues to the Lord’s soon-coming return. Perhaps the easiest way for me to share with you the thoughts from my heart will be a simple verse-by-verse list format:
16 those who feared the LORD talked with each other Communication is so important among the fellowship of believers. One of the adversaries most powerful tools is to cause us to feel isolated believing that we are alone. And yet…
16 the LORD listened and heard We are never alone. Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of life, cares deeply about his creation. He knows us each by name. He hears our prayers.
17 “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty Make no mistake, have no reservations or doubts, there is a Great Day coming. The Great Day of Salvation has already come. Christ was born, Christ suffered, Christ died, on the third day Christ was risen, he ascended into the heavens and now sits at the right hand of The Father. Christ will come again, but this time it will be the Great Day of Judgment.
17 they [those who feared the LORD, v.16] will be my treasured possession. I will spare them Only those who have made the choice to accept Christ as Savior and follow the Lord will be accepted into the Kingdom of God. For the faithful, the Day will be full of joys and blessings. For all those who have not chosen the Lord, the Day will be dark and fearful indeed.
18 you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. (More on this topic tomorrow.)
2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. This blessed Day will bring an end to all suffering, aches, pains, diseases, and maladies of every sort. God’s Kingdom will be free from sin and corruption and all that currently tarnishes his creation.
2 you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves On my very first trip to New Mexico, my Uncle took me to a stockyard and I still remember with fascination the sight of cattle jumping off from the cattle trucks or leaping from the cattle stalls into the larger pens. Those animals were full of energy and it helps me imagine in my mind the energy and freedom we will have when we enter our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom on that Great Day yet to come.
3 you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet There is a sad day coming for the wicked. The wicked will be no more. They will not exist. They are not still alive, burning for ever and ever. They are dead. No piece nor part of them remain. They are remembered no more. It is final.
In following with this week’s theme of old familiar hymns, I will close with one written by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909):
There’s a Great Day Coming
There’s a great day coming, A great day coming, There’s a great day coming by and by; When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left. Are you ready for that day to come?
There’s a bright day coming, A bright day coming, There’s a bright day coming by and by; But the brightness shall only come to them that love the Lord. Are you ready for that day to come?
There’s a sad day coming, A sad day coming, There’s a sad day coming by and by; When the sinner shall hear his doom, “Depart, I know ye not.” Are you ready for that day to come?
Are you ready, Are you ready, Are you ready for the judgment day? Are you ready, Are you ready, Are you ready for the judgment day?
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you hear and listen to every prayer we make. Thank you for the promises of rich blessings to those who love you. We pray for those who have not yet made their decisions. In all things, may we be found ready for that Great Day to come.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional A Great Day appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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