Healing and energy
by Peter Bean
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The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honour my name (Malachi 4:2a).
Read Malachi 4:1–6
I have to admit, when I first read this passage, I wondered why on earth anyone would include it in a daily reading guide. It is not your typical end of a prophet’s book (referred to yesterday). At first glance, Malachi 4 seems all doom and gloom – appropriate, I suppose, for a traditional end-of-church-year reading. But I was uncomfortable and not sure what to write.
So, I prayed. I read the whole book, and then I looked at various translations. Praying reassures me that God is working through me. Reading the entire book reveals the more traditional ending of good news in chapter three. Looking at various translations sheds new light on what the prophet says here.
Make no mistake: there is no escape for those who live evil lives and perform evil actions. But there is hope. The people had returned to God but had then fallen away again, primarily due to the dereliction of duty by the priests (see chapter two – a warning for those of us who are pastors, perhaps!).
But Malachi (whose name means ‘my messenger’) talks about a messenger coming (Malachi 3:1); he refers to the messengers Moses and Elijah in chapter four. Malachi talks about the promise of mercy (Malachi 3:17).
Then we have these wonderful words, as paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in The Message translation. The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honour my name. Amongst all the doom and gloom, amongst all the evil and pride, there is hope; there is a new beginning. To those who are faithful, mercy is offered. Healing is promised. Energy is present.
These are gifts from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Jesus, who met and talked with Moses and Elijah (see Mark 9), suffered, died and rose again so we would know sunrise! So we would receive healing and energy. So, no matter how much doom and gloom may be present in the world, we may know hope and a future. New beginnings in Christ.
Sometimes, Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed by the evil in the world: wars, disasters, hate. At these times, remind me of your presence and healing gift of life. Please fill me with the energy of the Holy Spirit so I may be your faithful servant. Amen.
Peter is often out tending his garden – with 83 fruit and nut trees and extensive native bushes, he says there is a lot to do! Other times, he will be walking his dog, reading (too many books at a time), enjoying his family (15 grandchildren!), and occasionally writing – poetry, opinion pieces, devotions! To keep out of mischief, he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each psalm. You can read these on his website, Creative Walking www.creativewalking.com.au/psalm-reflections.html
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