The Daily Word: Friday, December 31st, 2021
Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. – Mal. 3:1
Jesus sent John the Baptist – His messenger – to prepare the way before Him (Mark 1:1-5). John preached “a baptism of repentance” (Mk. 1:4) so that the people of Israel would realize how badly they needed salvation before the Savior arrived. No one knew exactly when Jesus would arrive! But those who were paying attention would have been ready.
John the Baptist is dead and gone. But do you know who God’s messenger is now? You are. God sent you to prepare the way before Him! And Jesus will come again, riding on the clouds (Rev. 1:7). He will come “suddenly” (Mal. 3:1), at a time when no one expects Him. Some will be ready; most will not. But make no mistake: He is coming.
Let your New Year’s pledge be this: this year, I am getting ready for Jesus! I am putting everything else on hold to get right with God. I am telling everyone I know that Jesus is about to return! And when He appears, I will be ready.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that my most urgent priority is always to be ready for the imminent return of Jesus. I cannot predict when He will arrive; but I can be ready when He comes, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.