“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of Hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”
Father, as we look out on the world, we see arrogant evildoers running rampant – terrorizing the weak, adulterating the truth, leaving a wake of misery and confusion. We look for your justice. Thank you that this won’t go on forever! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Even now, before the end, defend the vulnerable and cut down agents of Satan’s tyranny. We wait for you. At the same time, we confess that we ourselves have too often participated in arrogance and evil. We renounce every last remnant of that complicity! We know that even the most subtle forms of rebellion against you must be uprooted. And so we fear you — but not as those who cower and run. We fear you as those who look to you as our only hope to be right with you.
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And 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.”
Thank you for this promise that “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings”! What can this be other than a reference to the work of Christ? His effect on His people is as strong and pervasive as the light and warmth of the sun, rising to shine righteousness into us and through us! But the work of Christ doesn’t only passively transmit like the sun’s rays; it also seeks us out – the Holy Spirit dove hovering and souring all around, dispensing your healing from sin to all who truly fear your name!
Because of how you worked justice – justifying us in the death of Christ – I know I am free! And so may I know more and more of the joy of those who “go out leaping like calves from the stall.” Renew my excitement and energy for life, knowing that it’s the life you’ve given me to live whole-heartedly for you. Remind me that your enemies can ultimately do me no harm – you are Yahweh of Many Armies!
“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”
As we wait for the ultimate justice and ultimate relief of the second advent of Christ, Holy Spirit, renew my mind and my will by writing the law of God on my heart. Teach me and deepen the way I obey the law as we work through the Sermon on the Mount as a congregation, starting in February. Even now, cause me to live out the “law of love” more and more freely and sacrificially in my family, neighborhood, and workplace (Romans 13:10, James 2:8).
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter desolation.”
Lord Jesus, you revealed that this passage speaks of John the Baptist and the unique role he played in preparing your way. Give me grace to walk in the lifestyle of repentance that John preached, knowing that the Kingdom of Heaven is truly at hand! And cause these indicators of a soft heart to always be mine. May I be drawn to honor and cherish my parents, regardless of any past hurts. May I be drawn to my own children or those who are like children in my life – exhibiting great patience, devotion, and hope. May these children also be drawn to me, finding no obstacle for their trust, but instead finding a reflection of your care through me – like a mirror passing on the rays of the “Sun of Righteousness.” Amen.