The Day Of Judgment

Read Malachi 1:1-4:6

Pastor Dan Chun

This reading closes out the canon of the Old Testament. It is one of the few readings that is
the entire book! Lucky you! But you are fortunate to read of this non-famous minor prophet
named Malachi. As you discovered, this book is about faithfulness and tithing (giving a tenth
of your possessions) to God. It predicts the return of Elijah the prophet which will precede the
coming of the Messiah. But before we move onto the New Testament of the grace that God
offers us through Jesus Christ, we are reminded one more time of God’s judgment.

We don’t like to hear or read of judgment. But the deal is, the Gospel of Jesus is good news
only if there is bad news that humankind is pretty messed up if left to its own devices. Since
God is Holy, He cannot be in the presence of our sinfulness. Or to put it bluntly, as it says in
the last chapter 4:1 “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.”

Ouch! But then there is the hope of the second and third verse that says, “2But for you who
revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out
leaping like calves from the stall. 3And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under
the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.”

Ahh, that feels better. There is hope and justice in the end. As we live our lives on earth, we are
reminded by this “bookend” to Genesis that God is in control. He was here from the beginning.
He is just, mighty, great and loving. We must live our lives tuned to God and follow Him not
because it feels good or because we can obtain happiness….but because it is the right thing
to do.

P r ay e r
Lord, may we acknowledge You as our Lord in all areas of our lives. In Christ’s name, Amen.
 DAY 50

Questions
Are there times we must follow God because it is the right thing to do not because it makes
us happy?

Are there times we need to be reminded that God is a just God who will judge those who
avoid Him?

MY Reflections
Does any particular verse (SCRIPTURE) in today’s reading speak to you?

OBSERVE what this verse is saying to you:

How can you APPLY this verse to your life today?

My PRAYER for today is: