We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Jacob Reed.
Bible Reading:
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.”
Malachi 4:5“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
Matthew 11:13-14
Word:
In the Bible, Malachi and Matthew are right next to each other. Malachi ends the Old Testament and We turn the page to the opening book of the New Testament, the gospel of Matthew. What we can’t see from the turning of this page is the 400 plus years in between.
Isn’t that usually the case when you are given a promise or vision from God? The picture is clear enough but what can’t be seen in our visions and promises is the time in between and all the things that have to happen before we see what was promised really happen. How much joy we can have after we’ve waited and longed for the fulfillment of the promise.
Jesus explains the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy plainly in Matthew 11. The Elijah that was promised is John the Baptist. He also says, “if you are willing to accept it.” He says in the next verse “whoever has ears, let them hear.” This implies that some people are blinded to the truth right in front of them and deaf to the voice of God.
Very few were joyful at the coming of John, or Jesus for that matter. This is because it didn’t look the way they expected it to. Those who were close to the heart of God however had eyes to see and ears to hear what He was doing and how his promises were being fulfilled. They could have joy in the fulfillment of God’s promises.
This season, be quiet with God, close to his heart. Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear, that you may have joy for the promises he has fulfilled as well as the promises he has made that you will get to see unfold before your eyes!
Prayer:
God, thank You for fulfilling your promises, no matter how long it takes. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. Amen.
Skillwork:
Be close to God in quiet as much as possible this month. Just take time to be still.
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