Corona Devo 3290

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.   ~Malachi 4:1 NLT

Sounds harsh, doesn't it?
Another version of the Bible says it this way:

“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.  And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.  ~Malachi 4:1 NKJV

It still sounds harsh.  
God's Word and Truth can be harsh, and that is only because He is holy.
But someone might need to hear the harsh today.  

Maybe one of us is behaving arrogantly and wickedly, and we need a wake-up call.  This world is not all that there is, and we may need to make some heart-changes before the day of judgment comes. 

And it will come, the Bible says. (“For behold, the day is coming... ~Malachi 4:1).
And so perhaps we are on the wrong-side of God's law today, and we can read these verses as an alarm clock that God has set to wake us up.
Let's listen.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.   ~Malachi 4:1 NLT

But perhaps these verses provide not judgement but hope, and even promise for some.  
We may be all too familiar/close/exposed/abused  by the arrogant and the wicked, and here in Malachi 4:1, God gives a word and a whisper of consequences that will come to the arrogant and the wicked.

God wants every man and woman to come unto Him and be saved, and we should pray the same.  (The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  ~2 Peter 3:9).  

But for those who willingly defy the Lord and His people today, there will be holy justice upon them "tomorrow".  On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw (Malachi 4:1), and they will hinder and harass the Lord and us no more.

Yes, it is harsh, but yes, it can also be hopeful.
Someone needed to hear these verses today.

~~~

The harsh of God's holiness stands.  We cannot erase His power and authority, and nor should we.  (Shame on those who muffle God's Word to appease themselves and the masses).  

But coupled with the harsh is God's promise to those who fear His name.  
Oh goodness, but life can be so very difficult/draining/debilitating/painful/sad/hard today.  But...the promises that God gives us hope and strength to make it through today.

Do we need it today?  
I sure do.  And someone else must need God's promise too.

Are we ready?  Because--it's glorious.
The harsh of the world can be hellish.  But the hope of God's promises for those who fear His name...is Heavenly.  Reading Scripture such as these verses puts us about as close to experiencing-the-idea of God as we are going to get, before that day comes.  

And it will come, the Bible says. (“For behold, the day is coming... ~Malachi 4:1).

Are we (those who fear His name) ready for the hope of God's tomorrow?  Because--it's glorious:

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. (3) On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  ~Malachi 4:2-3 NLT

Sounds heavenly, doesn't it?
Another version of the Bible says it this way:

But to you who fear My name 
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.
(3) You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,” says the Lord of hosts.  ~Malachi 4:2-3 NKJV

The promises of God's Word are so rich for us who fear His name.  I love the image (in our hearts and minds) of the Sun of Righteousness arising with healing in His wings.

What does that even mean for us?
I don't know!  But I LOVE it!  And we will experience it!  
Someone needed to hear the hope of these verses today.

~~~

Keep on today, those who fear God's name.
Repent today, those who are proud, arrogant, or wicked.
Be encouraged today, if we are burdened by the proud, arrogant, or wicked.
Rejoice today, knowing what the day of judgment is coming. 
On that day there will be burning for some, but there will be freedom and leaping and joy for others.
Sounds harsh and heavenly.  It will be both.
  • On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw.  ~Malachi 4:1
  • “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.  ~Malachi 4:2

Blessings,

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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