JANUARY 31, Malachi 4:6

This last book of the Old Testament ends with a warning from God, “…lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” God’s love for Israel should have made them respond with love in return, but through Malachi, God charged the people with their failure to return His love.

Is this the same for you and me? Having learnt and understood the lessons for this month, are we the same or have we really changed and live a better Christian life? How have we responded to His love? Have we believed in Him and trust Him? Have we obeyed Him? If not, we are just like the people who lived during Malachi’s time. We will also fall under the curse.

God has an answer to the curse. The New Testament opens with the words, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Yes, there is hope in Jesus. Though we sin and reject God’s love, there are still the open arms of God and His love waiting, if only we return to Him. The minute we come in humility and respond to God’s love and grace, there is forgiveness and everlasting hope in Christ.

Thought: May I not only know, but do and love God’s Word.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons learnt in the study of this book. I pray that I will put them into practice, that I will not just be a hearer, but a doer of Thy Holy Word. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.