Our scripture this morning is Malachi 4:4-6.
Remember the law of my servant Moses, to whom at Horeb I gave rules and regulations for all Israel to obey. Look, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. He will encourage fathers and their children to return to me, so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgment.
The prophet Malachi writes that God has given us guidelines for our relationship with Him and each other throughout history. God wants us to know what He expects of us and what we can expect from Him. He refers to the Ten Commandments given to Moses and the children of Israel in the desert, and the fact that God’s laws are never superseded.
He tells us that God will send faithful people to share His word, to “encourage fathers and their children to return to me, so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgment”. We must understand that God’s judgement is certain and those that choose to live outside His law will suffer the consequences.
God doesn’t want to lose any of His children, but we must be willing to repent and return to Him. We know what is required of us and what is at stake. Without our confession of sin and His forgiveness, we are indeed lost.
Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You have sent Your son to save us. Help us to follow the example He gave us, loving You and each other. Amen.
