Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Search Archive Print This Article Who can endure the day of his coming Tuesday, December 23, 2008 Malachi 3:1-2, 23-24 Thus says the Lord God: "Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. "Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire... "Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with doom." Luke 1:64-66 Immediately upon the naming of his newborn son, Zechariah's mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be? "For surely the hand of the Lord was with him." Zechariah and Elizabeth named their child John. He became Jesus' forerunner, the one who represented Elijah, the one who "turned the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to their fathers." Because of his Nazarite vow, John lived in the desert, ate only vegetables and never cut his hair. Much more than Jesus, he seemed a little wild and scary. But Jesus will be like the refining fire. Be careful what you wish for, Malachi says. We yearn for the Messiah to come and save us, but it won't be how we think. God does things his way, not ours. That day of Jesus' coming will be a "great and terrible day." There is no standing in Jesus' presence and remaining the same as before. Part of me is going to get burned to a crisp. God coming down to earth changes everything. Earth has become an awful haven for selfishness and pride and all the other deadly sins. No more. And never again. Lord, reign in me, reign in your power. Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour. You are the Lord of all I am ... "; Add      Edit    Delete