“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 4:1-3 NIV)
Have you ever said, “Someday I’ll . . .”? It seems that our “someday” is less than a certainty. Perhaps, it is more that the thing we intend to do someday is only a wish and not truly a priority or a goal. Although it is possible that our “someday” lacks a certain fire or fails in faith. Yet, God’s promise of someday will surely be fulfilled.
We all know that skeptics and naysayers sneer, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2Peter 3:4 NIV). The Apostle said , “they deliberately forget” the power of God’s word. His word created heaven and earth. His word released the flood waters that destroyed the ancient world. His word has reserved the present world for fire and the judgment of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:5-7).
In today’s passage, the Prophet Malachi gives us the Word of the Lord. It is certain! The day of the Lord will be a terrible day for the wicked. God promises, “Not a root or a branch will be left to them” (v.1). But the promise of God is not to the wicked only.
It is also certain that God does not forget those who trust him. “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The certain someday of God is like a two-sided coin. On one side is the destruction of the wicked and on the other side is the safety of the righteous. On one side is eternal dying and on the other side is eternal healing.
“On the day when I (God) do these things” one side will be ashes from a burning furnace. And on the other side will be rejoicing and victory. “Surely the day is coming” when we will dance on the streets of gold — we will shout praises by the tree of life — in worship to our God . . . the God of certainty.
Dear Father, thank you for the confidence we have in your Word. Empower us with confidence in the certainty of your promises. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in the certainty of God’s promises,