See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” vs.1
Malachi 3:1-4
Advent is here! One candle has been lit and we’ve thought a bit about the Day of the Lord that was so much on the minds of the prophets. They were a remarkable group. Israel and Judah had wandered from the way of righteousness again and again through the centuries but the prophets never stopped hoping. Some day, they had preached, God would restore the Temple and the nation, and Malachi agreed. But first, he says, there would need to be an intervention! The whole sacrificial system was out of whack and in need of purification–the priestly leaders needed a refiner’s fire, and a messenger would be sent to provide the impetus for repentance. We know the drill! Thanks to the success of twelve step groups the language of intervention is a part of our vocabulary. Sometimes we are so blind to our conditions and so caught up in our addictions that we need an outsider to break in and hold us accountable. Such messengers of truth are of incredible value and they prepare the way for massive change in our lives. Through them the veil of sin is lifted and we can begin to see how far we have strayed from God’s intentions. It’s not an easy process–often there is great pain as the repentance begins. But oh how good it feels to come back to the arms of our Lover!
Thought for the Day: Who loves me enough to do an intervention?
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