Telling it Like it is

Malachi 4:1-6 (NIV)  "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.  Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty.  

Malachi, the last of the prophets to be heard for over 400 years, reinforced to the people how they must turn from their sin. I can't imagine being all alone in my thinking and my love for God and standing up to thousands of people who gave worship to whatever was convenient. These faithful prophets had dangerous jobs.

Just think about it a moment. You are trying to get some sleep and you hear a voice telling you things that you are to say. Now, you don't have the luxury of talking it over or even watering it down, no, you have been given instruction to get before the people and tell them how the errors of their ways is going to condemn them to an eternity of suffering.

The faith of these prophets had to have been incredible. Do you think? Or could they have been like us, ordinary people, (in their own minds anyway) who have been given an extraordinary assignment. I love how God always promises these men He will be with them. He paints the a picture of what it will look like when their work is done, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. 

There are times when I have to know how it is all going to turn out before I will take the next steps. I have to have a vision in my mind's eye of a better tomorrow before I can face today. Oh, to have the faith of the prophets, to experience the courage they exhibited in face of danger boggles my mind. They were given an assignment, one that required amazing bravery and stunning faith.

We have been given a similar mission.  The prophets of old were to share with their people about God, teaching them of the love their heavenly Father has for them. We are to share with our people about Jesus, and the salvation that is offered to us when we only believe. Christmas just might be a good time to do this.

Malachi 4:1-6