Malachi 3:1–4
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the LORD whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight — indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
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I appreciate the suggestion in the book Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams. It offers a guided Bible study experience.
READ You are to first read the passage. You may read it several times slowly.
REFLECT Jot down your insights from the text.
RESPOND How will you apply the teachings of this text to your own life?
REQUEST What prayer requests do you have?1
As I read the passage I note the Lord announcing. I reflect on this regarding the holy presence of the Lord. The divine communication. The vision imparted. A messenger like Malachi. A messenger like you or me. The grace and intention which produces a covenant. What means covenant and what is expected of the parties in the covenant? How does this produce a long lasting relationship between the parties in the covenant?
I respond by asking if the Lord is still communicating. Are there specific instances today when the Lord speaks? Who is directed to listen at that moment? What is the message for the messenger to communicate to the community of faith?
I request the Lord to prepare me. Am I readied to listen? Are you still speaking? Dear Lord as surely as you prompted Malachi, prompt me. Prompt all to listen. Guide us to moments, meditation, message, messenger. Thank you Lord! Amen
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This week’s devotion was written by Pastor Dave Wasemann.
