Tuesday, December 5

To read: Malachi 3:1-4

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.

Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Text from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Text from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

To think about:

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." We anxiously await the return of Christ to bring the fullness of God's Kingdom into our world. We are anxious because that day will be a day of judgment. We are anxious because that day will be a day of celebration.

The day of judgment is one impossible to endure. We are not worthy to share life in the Kingdom. We must be purified by the Holy One.

The day of celebration is one impossible to imagine. We will experience the fulfillment of God’s promises. We will delight in the presence of the Holy One.

To pray:
The Rev. Ralph Jones
Bishop
Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod