“But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” Malachi 3:2
The first coming of the Son of God into His creation was such a tremendous event that we even find ourselves counting our years from that date forward. In looking at the prediction of Malachi in this Bible verse, we realize it’s also a great and wonderful day to celebrate because it didn’t happen as he warned.
The world is impressed with power. “Might makes right” is the creed of many and one we might all like to try. Some people, including some Christians, say, “My God is bigger than your god,” as if this were something to boast about. Fortunately Jesus didn’t feel that way when He came to live among us. Jesus has power, but you wouldn’t know it to look at Him. Jesus didn’t come to play the power game; He came to be our Savior. He meekly let them crucify Him so that He could take the fire and we might escape.
Malachi’s warning was tempered by God’s promise in the 17th verse of the same chapter where the Lord Almighty promised, “They will be Mine in the day when I make up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.” The almighty Lord will spare us even on the final Judgment Day because His Son, Jesus, was faithful on our behalf.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). According to Your will, enable me to share the gift of Your salvation with those I meet so that they to will know Your saving grace. Amen.
© 2006 Lutheran Hour Ministries
These devotions have been written by Rev. Paul and Kaye Wolff. Rev. Paul Wolff is a 1996 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He has served as a pastor in the Detroit area for 10 years. He and co-author wife, Kaye, live in Southfield, Michigan.
Kaye Dumas Wolff is Chairperson of the Black Ministry Church Planting Task Force and a Mission Affiliate of LCMS World Missions where she serves as a training facilitator for laity in evangelism and mission work. Kaye serves on the Advisory Council of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and she is a presenter for Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Equipping to Share Workshop.
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Today's Bible Readings: Zechariah 11-12 Revelation 2
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