TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Habakkuk 1:12-2:1
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? - Habakkuk 1:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
No doubt you have heard of the Swiss Army knife. But have you heard of a model called the Giant? It weighs two pounds, costs about $720, is assembled by hand in Switzerland, and contains 85 different devices, including such exotic tools as a cigar cutter, fish-hook disgorger, and golf-club face cleaner. The Giant incorporates every feature of every other model of Swiss Army knife and is mainly intended for collectors. Although rather impractical to carry daily, it is an impressive reminder of what a useful tool a Swiss Army knife can be.

Tools were on Habakkuk's mind in today's reading. God had just told him that Babylon would be His tool to straighten out the injustices described in the prophet's first question. But this answer created new problems, so Habakkuk had a second question: How can evil be an instrument of justice? Or more specifically, if the scales of justice for Judah were to be balanced by an arrogant and godless conqueror, how would those scales be balanced for Babylon? He believed firmly that God was eternal, sovereign, and absolutely holy (vv. 12-13a). How, then, could He do what He had just told him He would do? Wasn't it inconsistent with His divine nature? Wasn't the cure worse than the disease?

Our key verse today sums up the “problem of evil.” Habakkuk was reeling. Spiritually and morally, everything seemed out of order or distorted. It was as though he had asked a question about fish, and in response had been told justice would be done on the fish by means of a wicked fisherman (vv. 14-16). That made things even worse! Would such an evil and unjust state of affairs be allowed to endure? “Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?” (v. 17). Habakkuk vowed to watch and wait for God's answer to this urgent and difficult question (2:1).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The book of Habakkuk has already taught us at least one truth that might bring a sigh of relief—you can ask God any question. He's big enough for your toughest ones. He won't be stumped or baffled. The kind of answer you want isn't guaranteed, of course, but prophets and psalmists have provided many examples of crying out deep, honest, painful questions to God. If you've been holding back, write a spiritual journal entry or a letter to God that expresses your most perplexing questions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Habakkuk 2:2-11
Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! - Habakkuk 2:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
A skeptic once asked a minister if he really believed the Bible. Yes, he was told. “Is there anything you can't explain?” was the next question. Yes again—the minister even showed him the question marks in the margins of his Bible. Surprised, the skeptic asked, “What do you do with all the things you can't explain?” “Very simple,” the minister replied. “I do the same thing I'm doing with this fish I'm eating. I eat the meat and push all the bones to the side of the plate, and then let any fool that wants to choke over them.”

Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the ways of our infinite God. Even so, He communicates and reveals Himself in ways that we can understand. So God answered Habakkuk's second question, at least as far as the prophet could understand the answer. As we see today and tomorrow, He assured him that the evil instrument of Judah's punishment would in turn be punished and that the scales of justice would balance in the end. Babylon would fall.

God certainly agreed with Habakkuk's moral estimate of the Babylonians (vv. 4-5). They were proud and lusted for power. “He is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied.” This didn't square with the principle that the righteous live by faith (or faithfulness), a truth quoted in the New Testament in several places (such as Rom. 1:17).

That's why God pronounced five woes on the Babylonians. The first (vv. 6-8) said that the plunderers would become the plundered—unjust gains must be paid for. The second (vv. 9-11) indicated that the plotters of ruin would themselves be ruined and that no one is beyond the reach of God's sovereign hand. These “woes” are statements of judgment as well as “taunt songs”—a literary form in which losers are mocked. The wicked will receive justice from the hand of God in His due time. The basic idea is, “They finally got their just desserts, they had it coming.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Now that you've asked God your toughest questions (yesterday's “Today Along the Way”), the next step is another challenging assignment: Wait (v. 3). Wait patiently for His answer, whenever it comes, in whatever form it comes. Living by faith means waiting in hope for “that day” to arrive. As with the prophecies recorded by Habakkuk and others, it might be tomorrow, next year, next century, or even farther in the future. But God will answer, and our faith will be vindicated!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Habakkuk 2:12-20
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. - Habakkuk 2:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the best-known statues in the world, found at many courthouses, features Lady Justice, often wearing a blindfold and holding a sword in one hand and balances in the other. This statue dates back to Greek and Roman times. The balances or scales represent impartiality or objectivity; the double-edged sword symbolizes the power wielded by judges and juries; and the blindfold indicates that justice does not play favorites based on status, wealth, or any other factor.

The scales of justice are divinely guaranteed to balance in the end, God told Habakkuk in today's reading. This is part two of His response to the prophet's second question, as well as the third, fourth, and fifth woes pronounced against the Babylonians. The third woe (vv. 12-14) focuses on the rotten foundations of the coming Babylonian empire. A city built on bloodshed cannot stand. A kingdom built on violence and military conquest will not endure. It is the plans of the sovereign God that prevail, not human endeavors and especially not wicked ones. Such things are merely “fuel for the fire,” a chasing after the wind. In the end, history is about the earth being “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.”

The fourth woe (vv. 15-17) addresses the issue of exploitation. Babylon will be like a person who gets someone else drunk in order to take advantage of them sexually. The picture here implies not just voyeurism but rape—a shameful, sinful, violent, and violating act. This is what it is like to conquer and plunder other nations, and this is why they'll reap what they sow. Just as they get others drunk, so to speak, so they themselves will drink the cup of God's wrath. The fifth and final woe (vv. 18-20) condemns idolatry. Instead of worshiping handmade “gods,” people are created to worship their Creator. Idols are silent and powerless, but one day the whole earth will be silent before the power and majesty of the one true God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If the “problem of evil” is something you're interested in learning more about, several good books deal at length with this topic: How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil, by D. A. Carson, which emphasizes theology; The Problem of Evil in the Western Tradition: From the Book of Job to Modern Genetics, by Joseph F. Kelly, which has a more historical focus; and The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil, by Brian Davies, which deals with these issues from a philosophical standpoint.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Habakkuk 3:1-7
I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. - Habakkuk 3:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Keith and Kristyn Getty are a husband-and-wife team of Irish Christian songwriters who are committed to composing contemporary hymns. You may have sung some of their work in your church, including “How Deep the Father's Love for Us” and “In Christ Alone.” Keith recently told an interviewer, “A song has to be easy and inspirational to sing, and lyrically it has to teach the truth of God in a way that is emotionally engaging and poetic.” The Gettys also want their hymns to appeal to entire congregations: “We look for songs that bring all ages together because singing is an act of unity.” They see worship as “singing with the generations that have gone before us, and we're singing as a foretaste of what will come after us.”

The book of Habakkuk ends not with more questions, but with worship. The final chapter is a psalm of praise to the Lord! This is a helpful reminder: while we see the prophet can ask God tough questions, we also see that he knows when to stop. From a philosophical standpoint, the dialogue could continue, but theologically the time had come for a Job-like silence before the Lord (2:20). The key theme of this chapter, as one might expect, is justice, and the main point is that justice will be done, as guaranteed by the person and character of God. The opening invocation (v. 2) recalls His awesome deeds on Israel's behalf in history and pleads for a renewal of those inspiring days. Though wrath is coming, Habakkuk prayed and believed that mercy would win out.

Verses 3 through 7 present a poetic picture of God's coming. He is glorious, like the sunrise, with light flashing from His hand. He is powerful, as the earth shakes, the nations tremble, and the mountains crumble. If nature is brought low, fear and reverence by people is inevitable. “His ways are eternal”—nothing human, natural, or supernatural can stand against Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
he glory of God's coming in today's poetic reading should fill our hearts with joy and anticipation. Think of a time when He entered your life with just such power and awesomeness, a time when He made His love and presence known in unmistakable ways. Have you shared this story with your friends or family? God's work in our lives is not solely for our benefit; He gives us a story to tell in order to encourage others and bring glory to His name. If you have a testimony of His work, share it and praise Him!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Habakkuk 3:8-15
Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. - Habakkuk 3:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
The children are restless. They bounce from toy to toy, occasionally running to the front window to look out at the empty street. They are full of questions: “When are they coming?” “Did they forget?” “What time is it now?” “Are they driving fast enough?” At last the moment arrives. The sun flashes off the windshield of a familiar green sedan as it turns into the driveway. “They're here, they're here!” the kids shout. Grandma and Grandpa smile and wave as they step out of the car.

Waiting impatiently for important people to show up makes their coming all the sweeter. That's the background feeling for today's reading, in which God Almighty arrives in power to save His people. Pictured as a Warrior, He fights on their behalf and wins the victory, just as He did during the conquest of the Promised Land. Some of the pictures are military, such as God riding in a chariot or shooting a bow and arrows. Others are supernatural, such as God splitting the earth with rivers and using other elements of nature as weapons. And some can only be called sovereign, such as God threshing the nations like a farmer harvesting wheat.

Many commentators see specific historical references in these verses. For example, the mention of rivers (v. alludes to when God turned the Nile to blood and later parted the Jordan so the Israelites could cross. The sun standing still (v. 11) recalls the victory at Gibeon. The sea (v. 15) brings to mind the miraculous parting of the Red Sea in the escape from Egypt. The verbs in this passage are powerful: God “rages” in righteous wrath in order to “deliver” or “save” His chosen people. He used a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to protect and guide them during the Exodus, and Habakkuk's continuing prayer is that those days would come again. His faith was strong—he believed that God would bring future restoration as surely He brought past deliverance!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The book of Habakkuk, like many of the Psalms, uses the history of God's work with His people to inspire praise and worship. Do you ever review God's work in your own life as a source of praise? You could compose your own hymn of praise that acknowledges God's character and work. If writing words or music doesn't seem like your strong suit, you can at least approach the praise time during the next church service with a fresh perspective on reasons to give praise to the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Habakkuk 3:16-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines . . . yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. - Habakkuk 3:17-18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Are you having trouble remembering things? Try some blueberries! Scientists at the University of Reading in England have found that adding blueberries to a regular diet helps improve memory. It increases memory capacity and can even reverse memory loss. The key is flavonoids, which are known to boost the part of the brain that controls learning and memory. The researchers are planning to investigate next whether these findings might help people with Alzheimer's disease.

The Israelites could have used some blueberries in their diet, at least to judge from how frequently they forgot about all the incredible things God had done for them. Habakkuk was so overcome by the memory that his heart pounded and his legs trembled (v. 16). This physical picture shows a combination of awe—God's deeds are amazing and overwhelming—and holy fear—God's power and wrath are about to punish Judah's sins in the same ways as described in this chapter—as well as eagerness for the day when the prophesied judgment would be past and God would gather and restore His people.

Verses 17 and 18 are perhaps the best-known and best-loved verses in the book, and seem more relevant than ever in these difficult economic times. They are an unequivocal statement of faith in God despite circumstances. Things are as bad as they can possibly be. The trees do not bud, the crops do not ripen, and the livestock are dead. A modern paraphrase might read: “Though the cupboard be bare, the bills coming due, my car repossessed, a pink slip in my hand, and no jobs in town, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” To be clear: this isn't “grit your teeth and hang on” mentality, nor does it ignore the reality of the situation. Instead, this is joy! The bottom line is not circumstances but God (v. 19). He is our source of confidence and strength, the only Rock on which we can rely.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This kind of hope and joy and faith is supernatural; we cannot bring it up out of ourselves on our own. Are you struggling to rejoice in the Lord because your situation seems overwhelming? God doesn't promise to sweep our problems under the rug, nor does He promise “health and wealth” to His followers. But He does promise to be faithful, and He promises to be with us (see John 14). He has given us His Holy Spirit, who comforts us and enables us to look at the very real trials of life and still be joyful in God our Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 1:1-5
“I have loved you,” says the Lord. - Malachi 1:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
After 70 years in exile, many Jews returned to their homeland following the decree of Cyrus in 538 B.C. By 515 B.C., the second temple was completed. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by about 443 B.C. under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, who also led a period of spiritual revival. But in 433 B.C., Nehemiah returned to his position as cupbearer for the emperor, and a time of national backsliding followed his departure. It was in this historical context that Malachi began his prophetic ministry, probably about 430 B.C. The spiritual laxness, disobedience, and specific sins he condemned were also observed by Nehemiah when he returned for a visit (see Neh. 13:6-31).

“Malachi” means “my messenger,” so possibly this is a title rather than a proper name, but we'll assume it's an actual prophet's name. He is not, though, mentioned anywhere else in Scripture and nothing is known about his background, family, or hometown. The themes of this book, placed last in the Old Testament canon, include worship, repentance, obedience, faithfulness, hope, and justice.

Many of these ideas are developed by means of a question-and-answer structure. Biblical scholar Charles Ryrie has identified 23 questions in the book's four chapters, many of them satirical. Satire is “the use of ridicule, sarcasm, or irony to expose, attack, or deride vices, follies, and sins.” The book can be divided into six sections, generally beginning with a statement or question to which the people respond, followed by God proving or explaining the charge of wrongdoing embedded in the original statement or question. (These sections begin at 1:2; 1:6; 2:10; 2:17; 3:7; and 3:13.)

“How have you loved us?” is the opening question, asked by the people to God. History is the answer, as the Lord cited His election of Jacob over Esau and the fate of Edom as reminders of the Israelites' reasons to praise and worship Him (cf. Rom. 9:10-13).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The four centuries that passed between Malachi and Matthew are sometimes called the “silent years.” They were “silent” in the sense that God did not send new prophets to speak His inspired words, but God was still at work in the world and history was continuing to unfold. If you have time for additional study, find out more about that history. Bible handbooks, commentaries, and New Testament survey textbooks are good places to read up on what was happening as the “B.C. clock” wound down.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 1:6-14
When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands? - Malachi 1:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Brian Doerksen is a Christian songwriter who has penned such classics as “Refiner's Fire” and “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship.” To him, worship is truly what it's all about. He recently told an interviewer: “When I first felt called to do this over twenty years ago, I wanted to perform music on big stages. But God quickly called me to be all about worship, which is really 'Notice God, don't notice me.' I feel incredibly comfortable in my own way trying to live out the whole John the Baptist thing ('He must become greater, I must become less') especially when I look at what it means to be a worship leader—an artist who creates a 'window' for people to look through and see someone greater.”

The importance of worship is one of Malachi's themes as well. Our readings for today and tomorrow combine to form the second message out of the six found in this book. The key truth here, shown through metaphors of family and authority, is that honor and respect are the Lord's due (v. 6). The priests, however, had failed in this essential responsibility. Worship is about honoring God's name, but they showed contempt for it.

Instead of offering the best, they offered the worst, putting crippled, blind, and diseased animals on the altar (vv. 7-8). Such sacrifices were forbidden by the Mosaic Law (see Lev. 1:3). Did they think God was a doddering old fool? They never would have dared to pull a stunt like that on a human ruler! Did they really think their pious-sounding prayers would be granted in response to insincere and disdainful hearts (v. 9)? Rather than continue such a mockery of “worship,” God would rather they shut the temple doors and stopped faking it (v. 10). Despite their attitudes and behavior, God's name will be lifted up among the nations and pure, right-hearted worship will be given Him throughout all the earth (v. 11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today, consider your attitude toward giving to God in light of Malachi's indictment of the Israelites. When they brought diseased and crippled animals as sacrifices, they showed profound disrespect for God. What about us? Instead of making giving to God a priority, do we “wait and see” what's left in the checkbook at the end of the month? Are we putting $20 in the offering plate every Sunday when our income indicates we could give much more? Being stingy with God is a sign of spiritual trouble in our hearts.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 2:1-9
True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. - Malachi 2:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Books are important to rural communities in Venezuela. They're so important, in fact, that one university is running a special mobile library program featuring bibliomulas, or book mules. These mules help take library books to isolated groups living in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The project leader said, “Spreading the joy of reading is our main aim.” Both children and adults are often waiting to dive into the books as soon as they arrive. If only we as believers showed that much enthusiasm for reading God's Book!

In today's reading, Malachi was concerned about the careless teaching of Scripture. This is the second part of his second message, so it's the same priests who offered unacceptable sacrifices who are here condemned (vv. 1-2, 7-9). As spiritual leaders and guides for the nation, they were responsible to give instruction in the truths of Scripture and the knowledge of God. But they had neglected their duties and caused many to stumble. The term “partiality” indicates that their teachings were biased, self-serving, untrue, and/or unjust. This was a serious affront to God, and the Lord said they would be “despised and humiliated” for failing in this essential responsibility. The curse in store was shown in the shocking prediction that “offal” (guts) would be rubbed on their faces (v. 3). Both ceremonially unclean and disgusting, this is ironic justice—the priests would be defiled with the entrails of their own defiled sacrifices.

God's standard is covenant faithfulness, as exemplified in their forefather Levi (vv. 4-6). Historically, the Levites had earned the right to minister when rallied to God and stood for purity after the worship of the golden calf at Sinai (see Ex. 32:25-29; Num. 3:12-13). They understood that God's covenant was about life and peace and truth, and that the proper responses were awe, reverence, and personal holiness. Unlike their descendants here, they fulfilled their sacred responsibility of teaching covenant truths and calling the people to love and obey the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
An excellent tool for your library would be The Literary Study Bible, available in the English Standard Version (ESV) translation. Father-and-son team Leland and Philip Graham Ryken edited this unique resource, which focuses on highlighting and interpreting the literary features of Scripture, especially the literary forms and flow of individual books. Given the highly literary nature of the prophets we've been studying this month, and of the Bible in general, this tool can help provide you with a richer understanding of God's Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 2:10-16
Guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. - Malachi 2:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Internet is making divorce cheaper and easier. One Web site proclaims, “We are divorce specialists!” It claims over 250,000 satisfied users, gives step-by-step instructions for divorce in every state, and offers a money-back guarantee on court approval of documents prepared at the site. Another company advertises its low fees, convenience, free settlement agreement, and privacy guarantees. One customer boasted that the divorce took just three hours and $300. Some state governments have also set up popular do-it-yourself Web sites for legal matters, including divorce.

Like some Americans, the Israelites treated marriage and marital faithfulness with negligence. Today's reading is the third message in Malachi. Since the priests and Levites were condemned for covenant unfaithfulness, it makes sense that the prophet continued on this theme. The question was: “Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?” (v. 10).

Idolatry and dishonoring marriage are woven together in this passage. Idolatry is spiritual unfaithfulness; running after other gods is spiritual prostitution (vv. 11-13). The people of Judah were guilty of this detestable sin and deserved harsh punishment. Malachi mocked their tears and prayers as disingenuous and hypocritical . . . as if they didn't know their own guilt!

The commonness of divorce and marriage with unbelievers was a parallel form of covenant unfaithfulness; they took marriage lightly because they took God lightly (vv. 14-16). As the creation narrative reveals, God Himself instituted marriage and stands as witness to the marriage covenant (Gen. 2:24). The union of husband and wife is intended to reflect the spiritual union of God and His people. Faithful marriage goes hand-in-hand with faithful worship and obedience within God's family. In order not to break faith with one's spouse or with God, we must guard our hearts against temptation. If we are faithful to His purposes for us, He will be faithful to help us live righteously.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Marital unfaithfulness and sexual immorality are still with us today, over two thousand years after Malachi was written. These are not just social or political issues; as Malachi makes clear, these are spiritual and theological issues. How Christians behave sexually reflects how seriously we take our covenants with each other and with God. Commit your own purity and faithfulness again to the Lord, and pray that the people of God will live in a way that reflects Christ's love for the church.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 2:17-3:5
Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire. - Malachi 3:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last year, a man imprisoned for 27 years was freed by a DNA test showing he could not possibly have been guilty. James Lee Woodard, convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, was finally released from a Dallas prison. He had always maintained his innocence, and had even stopped going to parole hearings because he would have had to confess to the crime in order to be granted parole. He was the thirty-second person to have a conviction reversed in Texas.

While human justice can err, God's judgments are never wrong. Today's reading is the fourth message out of six in Malachi. The opening accusation, “You have wearied the Lord with your words,” is somewhat unexpected and humorous. The response sounds like wide-eyed innocence, “How have we wearied him?” But the satire had already disrupted the leaders' pride and self-importance (2:17a). As the chuckling in the “courtroom” died down, so to speak, the accusation was elaborated by two specific charges: First, the leaders had dishonored God's moral standards by calling evil “good” and going so far as to assert that He was pleased with what He abhorred. Second, the leaders raised the question, “Where is the God of justice?” They implied that He's nowhere to be found, indicating unsubmissiveness and unbelief. They were slandering God's character!

God's response is personal (3:1-5). First, He would send a messenger, a prophecy fulfilled in John the Baptist. Second, He Himself would come—these verses conflate both His first and second comings. In hindsight it's clear this was a prophecy of Messiah and Incarnation. Though this was supposedly what the leaders wanted, it would not turn out the way they imagined. That day would come suddenly and unexpectedly. He would purify and cleanse the people and their worship practices like a fierce “refiner's fire” or a stinging “launderer's soap.” Sins such as lying, adultery, witchcraft, and oppression would be rooted out, and justice and righteousness restored.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One way to explore a fully biblical concept of justice is to volunteer with a prison or community-transition ministry. Chaplains regularly conduct Bible studies in jails around the country, and they are often looking for more volunteers to get involved with discipling those who come to Christ. When these men and women are released, transition ministries and “halfway houses” help them learn how to live out their faith outside the walls. Pray about how you could step forward and join these godly efforts!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 3:6-12
See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. - Malachi 3:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
A new study has found that American Christians are quite stingy. In Passing the Plate, three sociologists reported that more than one in four American Protestants give absolutely nothing. The median gift is $200 per year, or about one-half of one percent of after-tax income. People who make less than $10,000 per year give an average of 2.3 percent of their income, while those who make more than $70,000 average just 1.2 percent. Among evangelicals, only 27 percent tithe (give 10 percent). The researchers estimated that even considering people who cannot give due to illness or unemployment, believers could or should be giving at least $85.5 billion per year more to ministry than we currently do.

As Malachi taught in today's reading, giving is a good indicator of the spiritual condition of our hearts. This is the fifth message out of six in the book, and opens with a familiar theme—God's covenant faithfulness despite Judah's history of disobedience (vv. 6-7). He exhorted the nation with a call to repentance: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” This was not an indication that He had abandoned them, but rather showed His desire for a closer relationship than was possible while they continued to sin.

“How are we to return?” they asked, a question that “played dumb” because the obvious answer was obedience. So God answered their question with another, “Will a man rob God?” (v. . Such a thing sounds impossible, yet the Lord Himself asserted it was true. No doubt the tone of their second question was startled and shocked: “How do we rob you?”

In response, God identified a lack of giving as a key area of sin and covenant-breaking (vv. 9-12; cf. 2 Cor. 9:6-12). They had failed to bring the tithes and offerings required by the Law, some of which went to support the priests and Levites. Obedience in this area would call forth blessing, but as things stood they were cursed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Several days ago, we invited you to consider your attitude toward giving to God. Today, examine your practice of giving to God. Perhaps we do enjoy giving to the Lord, but is our giving in proportion to our income? Get out a calculator and go through your checkbook to find the numbers. Compare these to a recent paycheck stub or last year's tax return and calculate your giving as a percentage of your income. If the Holy Spirit challenges you in this area, commit to obey Him in willing, cheerful, generous giving to His work.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 3:13-18
A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. - Malachi 3:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some of us are guilty of treating the Lord like some kind of divine candy machine. Insert money, push buttons, and out come the goodies—except in this case we think we can insert worship and service, pray for blessing, and out come the good times. But the problem is that selfishly motivated worship and service aren't genuine worship and service at all. This candy machine attitude further ignores the fact that Scripture says suffering and discipline are also part of the life of faith.

People in Malachi's day made the same mistake, concluding that worship and service were useless because they weren't receiving material benefits as a result (vv. 13-15). Today's reading begins the sixth message out of six in the book. As before, God brings an accusation: “You have said harsh things against me.” The people respond with a question: “What have we said against you?” The people had two main problems. First, they had wrong motives. They understood that blessings flow from obedience (vv. 10-12), but they ignored or dishonored the fact that the context for such promises was a covenant relationship. God cannot be manipulated.

Second, they had wrong beliefs. They concluded from their experiences that God was sitting idly by and allowing the wicked to prosper, that worship made no difference, and that injustice had won. Such untruths were indeed “harsh things” to say against the God of all the earth!

By contrast, a believing remnant did fear the Lord and honor His name (vv. 16-18). What made the difference was genuine service. The distinction was “between those who serve God and those who do not.” The true believers proved their hearts through their actions, not through empty words or sacrifices, much less selfish demands. God pledged to write their names on a scroll, treat them as a “treasured possession,” and love them like His own children.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Theologically speaking, service means to fear the Lord with our actions. From that perspective, seek out a concrete, specific act of service for someone who needs it—and do it secretly or anonymously, if possible. For example, you might do a household chore that typically belongs to another family member, offer free babysitting to a harried mother, do yard work for a senior citizen in your church, or volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Many other acts of service are possible as well!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Malachi 4:1-6
For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. - Malachi 4:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many books and movies have imagined the end of the world. Some predict a nuclear apocalypse, with war and mushroom clouds of radiation bringing an end to life as we know it. Others picture a man-made environmental disaster or a natural event such as an asteroid striking our planet. Some see humans being conquered by our own technology, as robots and computers with artificial intelligence take over. Still others envision the end arriving in the form of a fast-spreading disease or plague, perhaps planted by terrorists.

As revealed in Scripture, the Day of the Lord is both an end and a beginning. “Day of the Lord” is a recurring phrase in the prophets for the coming of the Messiah and the culmination of God's plan for history. On that day, justice will be done against the wicked (v. 1). The fire of judgment will destroy their pride and evil deeds. By contrast, the fate of the righteous is one of life and joy; as today's key verse says, “The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The New Testament describes a similar process: “His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work” (see 1 Cor. 3:11-15). For those who truly believe and worship and obey God, His victory would be their victory (vv. 3-4).

The book of Malachi closes with a fascinating prophecy that Elijah would come again (vv. 5-6). In one sense, this was fulfilled in John the Baptist, who was said to have come as “Elijah” to prepare the way for the Lord (Matt. 11:7-15). Some interpreters believe Elijah will also return closer to Christ's Second Coming, perhaps as one of the “two witnesses” (see Rev. 11:1-12). What's important is that Elijah would do what all prophets do—work on people's hearts and call them back to the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you ready for the Day of the Lord? If not, we pray that today is the day your own heart turns to the Lord. We are all sinners, and the penalty for sin is death. But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our place and pay that penalty. Even better, He rose again and conquered death. Because of this, we can have eternal life by believing on His name (John 3:16). You can take this life-changing step of faith today!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 John 1:1-4
We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Dialog in the Dark is not a typical exhibition. All the tour guides are visually impaired. All the visitors are in the dark—literally. Instead of relying on sight, visitors must use other senses as they navigate darkened galleries that replicate familiar environments like a grocery store. Wind, temperature, sounds, smells, and texture have increased importance for determining one's environment when sight can no longer be utilized.

Similarly, John awakens our senses and nudges our curiosity in the opening lines of his letter. He emphasizes his eyewitness testimony: he has heard, seen, and even touched the Word of Life “from the beginning” of Jesus' earthly ministry (v. 1). We reflect on another “beginning” when God spoke and it was; His word brought forth life; it was the word of life (Gen. 1:1ff). It is shocking to hear that this eternal Word of Life has appeared (v. 2); “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

Notice John mentions “seen,” “looked at,” and “appeared” five times in the first two verses. He is astonished that the Life is no longer simply a word to be heard, but now someone to be seen. Jesus Himself is the “Word of life” about which John writes. In his Gospel, John refers to Jesus as “the Word” (cf. John 1:1-2, 14), and Jesus Himself claims to be “the life” (John 14:6).

John's purpose for writing is to invite his readers into fellowship with the Word of life, with the Father and the Son whom He sent (v. 3). Like Paul, John connects his readers' well-being with his personal joy (v. 4; cf. Phil. 2:2). Both John and Paul know that relationships are three-way: you, the other, and God, and that joy cannot be complete if those “under your care” (cf. I Peter 5:2) are stagnant in fellowship with Christ. The “fellowship” mentioned in verse 3 is the intimate relationship among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which is shared by believers in Jesus.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Did you notice that John's own experience hearing, seeing, and touching Life in Jesus compels this letter? Consider how many times John uses words like “proclaim” and “testify.” In other words, John's mission is a natural and vibrant outflow of his personal encounter with Jesus. He is not merely proclaiming a message, but a person. Today, reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus and the joy it brings you to invite others into intimate fellowship with the Word of Life, Jesus Christ.