Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)
Read Malachi 3:1-4 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 3See, 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. Verse 2But 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; Verse 3he 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. Verse 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Devotion
Scripture invites us to listen and to reflect upon what it would say to us. Malachi asks us to “lay it to heart” that we may “give glory” to God (Malachi 2:2). Listening is so very important in all our relationships and especially with God.
Recently my wife and granddaughter filled our kitchen with the activity and sweet aroma of cookie making. I was included as cookie sampler. It was a delightful time prompted by a rediscovered cookbook filled with favorite recipes.
In a similar way, Scripture rediscovered daily can give a sweet aroma to one’s life. The analogy may cause you to smile. But there are all kinds of activities in which one can give glory to God.
Prayer
God, in your desire for us to listen to you, help us to be centered daily in your word to us – that life-nurturing word we discover in holy Scripture. Amen.