Tues.’s Devo - The Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living

Read: Malachi 3:1-4:6; Revelation 22:1-21; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 31:25-31 When Jesus came the first time, there were many forerunners who came before him to prepare the people’s hearts to receive him. That was the purpose of all the prophets and especially the last one. He was John the Baptist. *** Before Jesus comes to reign on earth, there will be many forerunners who will preach the same message. His prophets are here and they are speaking to purify the hearts of the believers, God’s holy priesthood and turn our hearts back to him. *** The people of Malachi’s time didn’t think they had turned away from the Lord until Malachi shone the spotlight on their sins. They had cheated God by not bringing him their tithes and offerings. This put the whole nation under a curse of lack. Malachi dared the people to tithe and see what God would do for them. He would open the heavens and pour out a blessing so great they wouldn’t have enough room to receive it. Their land would be blessed with fruitfulness. *** God’s curses fall on us when the Church has turned away, not the ungodly. God’s blessings and curses are in our control. We determine whether we are under a curse or a blessing. *** Malachi told the people that God had a book of remembrances where the names of those who feared the Lord and lived to honor his name were written. Those written in this book would be spared when God’s judgments fall on the people. God would make a difference between them and the unrighteousness just like he did with the Egyptians and Jacob’s family in Goshen. *** When God judges the earth, the wicked and proud will be burned up completely. But those who honor the Lord will go free with joy and dancing. They will defeat their enemies easily. *** Again the prophet who comes in the spirit of Elijah is mentioned. He will come and turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and vice versa. Those who don’t allow God to do this in their hearts, will receive God’s curse. *** This statement about turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to their fathers is a multi-level statement. To me, it means that we will embrace the lessons our fathers learned and want to pass them on to our children. It means the Jews will embrace their heritage and be proud once again. It means that the Gentiles will embrace their spiritual heritage and desire to know more about our roots in God. It means our children will once again return to the things we have taught them and desire to return. *** In Revelation, John is shown a river of life flowing from the throne, just like in Ezekiel’s vision of the Temple. Each side of the river was a tree of life that bore a different fruit every month that healed a different problem in the nation and the individual. *** All curses will be gone and we will worship at God’s throne with his name written on our foreheads. Our light will come from the glory of God and not a created body of light. Light will be everywhere with no darkness or shadows. *** When John fell down to worship the angel, the angel explained that he was just a messenger like the prophets on the earth were, and like everyone who worships the Lord and obey him are. We are all God’s witnesses of the truth. *** The angel instructed John not to seal up what he had seen but to tell everyone that Jesus was coming soon. He would reward everyone according to their deeds. Only those who repent will be permitted to enter the gates of God’s city and eat fruit from the tree of life. They will be healed and be made whole. God extends the invitation to come and receive his total salvation of body, soul and spirit. *** Lord, we say, Come Lord Jesus, Come. May we daily eat from your tree of life and prosper. May we dwell on the goodness of God and not the depravity of man. May all that is within us praise You. Thank you for walking with us through 2024. May we with great expectation look forward to next year and all you many ways you have planned to love and bless us. We love you.