Malachi 4:1-2a (NRSV)
Read Malachi 4:1-2a on biblegateway.com
Chapter 4See, 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. Verse 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.
Devotion
These words that come from a prophet of God—whose name means "God's messenger"—may seem a bit unfair or divisive. But in the wider story we learn that they come as a reminder to the people of Israel, who have "left," "walked away," or "turned from" God to focus on the ways of the world. God is calling them back, reminding them who they are and who they "belong" to. God does not leave us to our own devices for long.
For example, we may have had parents or other caregivers who saw great potential in us and were concerned that some of our relationships with others were pulling us away from becoming the people they saw us to be. In the same way, God sees the people of God's creation in the best possible light and desires to be in relationship with them. This is the reminder and call of God that Malachi puts before the people of Israel.
Who or what might be drawing us away from God in the present age? How might we best be prompted to remember our Creator?
Prayer
Loving and gracious Creator God, show us how to live in this world and be an example of your love for all people. Amen.