In case you didn’t see my email yesterday, I lost my laptop charger over the weekend and was, therefore, delayed in getting this week’s devotional to you. I also included a poll in that newsletter asking for feedback on the Featherlight Devotional series so far. It would be a huge help if you could take some time to fill that out. It should only take about 30 seconds, click here. Thanks so much. Now to this week’s devotional.
Imagine you wake up tomorrow, switch on the news and the presenter has nothing but good things to say. The weather comes on, and we’re in for a surprising spot of sun! You find it odd, given the status quo, but it’s nice.
Thursday, the same.
Friday, it happens again.
Good news, all the time.
Seemingly nothing is going wrong in the world right now. You know that isn’t true though. The local school shut down this week, there was a fire on West Street, and you haven’t seen the sun in days. As hail begins to shower down on the roof, you begin to think something odd might be going on.
As Christians, we are heralds of the good news of God. How do we know it is good?
That’s where the bad news comes in.
A few years ago, I was called into the doctor’s office. I could barely see by this point. After a migraine and an overwhelming pain in my right eye, they tested, scanned, and prodded at my eye until they were sure of the issue. They had some good news, but they had to give me the bad first.
“Mr Ravenhill, your lens is stuck to your iris. You have swelling throughout your eye, and if we don’t act quick, it will only get worse. Thankfully, we have these for you.” I couldn’t really see the bottle they were holding due to the dilation drops I’d already been given, but I got the idea. Mrs Ravenhill had to squeeze eighteen drops a day—once per waking hour—into my eye for a week.
It was brutal.
Four years later, the only evidence left are the few fragments of my iris that are still stuck to my lens. It could have been far, far worse.
The bad news preceded the good. The same is true of the gospel. The bad news is that we’re broken. The world is broken. From our first father, we have been sinning, and turning against God. None of us deserve God’s mercy, but, there’s good news.
Let’s read today’s passage together.
1. Reading
First, read or listen to the passage quickly. Then, slow down, allowing the words to sink in, as you read it a second time prayerfully.
“For I the Lord do not change;
therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
From the days of your fathers you have
turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them.Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.
But you say, ‘How shall we return?’Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me.
But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.
You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:6-12 ESVUK
2. Silent Reflection
Now, the hard bit. 60 seconds to pause and reflect.
Close your eyes, sit in silence, and consider these questions:
- Is the bad news Malachi is delivering accurate?
- Why is it important for us to remember our sinfulness & the sinfulness of the world?
- How does God’s invitation to repent and return affect you personally?
You don’t need to restrict yourself to these questions.
Ask the Spirit guide you in this time of reflection.
3. Prayer
Let’s now enter into a time of prayer. Here’s a prayer based on today’s passage:
“Lord, you do not change and your steadfast love endures forever.
How many times have I turned aside from your ways?
How often have I failed to keep them?
But you say, “Return to me, and I will return to you”
Thank you, Lord, for coming to give me a way back to you.
When I fear the world, show me your face.
In the day of temptation, guide me towards you.
You have filled your storehouse with love, so I will never hunger.
Streams of life flow from your throne. I will never thirst.
I have put your faithfulness to the test,
and you have opened up the windows of heaven.
You know and see the devourer before me.
He longs to poison the fruits of your Spirit within me;
and to prune away the true vine in your field.
Turn him away, and rebuke him.
Turn me back, in the hour of my repentance.
Bless me Lord, as I bless your name.
Bring me into the land of true delight, Lord of hosts.
Amen.”
Take a moment to continue in your own words. Let this prayer guide you into a deeper conversation with God.
4. Contemplation
Today I’d like you to write down some bad news. Having reflected on the Lord’s words through Malachi, think about what that means for people around the world today. Remember, as always, that this need only be one line. The main purpose behind doing this is to help us remember what we’ve learned, and more importantly, what God has to say to us.
Take a second to reflect.
Write it down.
Each week, refer back to the lines you’ve already written, and over time they will cement more and more in your memory.
Feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have, or leave a comment to discuss further.
Thank you for joining me this morning.
May God’s Word continue to guide and bless you throughout your week.
Grace and Peace,
Head to today’s show notes to find this week’s recommended media and articles. You’ll find articles from Wendy Willard and Bob Allen, as well as an amazing recital—from memory—of 1 Peter by Tim Vasby-Burnie.
Recommended Articles
“The next thought I had was, it’s not morning already, is it? Why am I awake? Rolling over to see the clock, I groaned. I had an early morning and I am so very not a happy camper when I am tired.”
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I get the privilege every week to step behind a pulpit and deliver that message like Oprah giving gifts to her audience, freely and without cost. I get to remind the broken-hearted that the Creator of the universe drew near. I get to steer those adrift in the seas of desperation and grief to the safe Harbor from the storms of life. I get to share the most incredible news with people unsteadied by diagnoses that shake the very ground beneath their feet.
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Finally, this is terrific! The word of the Lord, spoken masterfully and with great reverence. For those of you who listen to The Rest is History, this is the famous “Top Vicar” Tom Holland is always raving about. He certainly earns that title here.
Let Tim Vasby-Burnie be an example to us all.
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