MALACHI 1

1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.

A PASSIONATE HEART

Malachi was a very special prophet. He was the last prophet to speak before the long silence of 400 years and he had a real passion for speaking truth.

So, what did Malachi have a passion for?

He had a passion or a burning desire for God, and for God’s honour. Look at verse 6 of chapter 1.

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, wherein have we despised thy name?

Let me ask you… Do you have a passion for God’s honour and glory? Do you have a burning desire for God Himself?

He had a passion for the word of God. The word of God was being trampled underfoot. It was listened to but not obeyed, just like it is today. Does that make you burdened or even angry?

He had a passion for God’s work. All through the book, especially in chapter 1, he sees the altar of the Lord being polluted (v.7). He sees eye service to the work of God and he is burdened and passionate to speak out under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

He has a passion for God’s people. They were living lives that appeared to the outsider, good and sacrificial lives, but in reality, within they were living lives that were a lie.

Let me ask you:

What’s your passion and can God share his passion with you?

Can He share what’s on His heart or are you indifferent to His voice?

There were many in Malachi’s day, who saw the same things, but said nothing… It is the same today.

Be open to the Spirit’s voice.

Share God’s passion with the world.

Share God’s passion with His church.

God bless you.

Keith

ZECHARIAH 13

1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

The book of Zechariah carries some of the most amazing prophecies about our Saviour, none more than this one.

It reminds me of the amazing hymn, There is a fountain filled with blood (see the lyrics at the end of this devotion).

What a promise… that a fountain will be opened up. A fountain where all who come under are cleansed of their sin. That fountain is Jesus and his death on the cross. The death nail of sin was driven into the precious Son of God.

God’s love and justice were shown at the cross, His love and mercy to sinners, but also His righteous anger against sin. Jesus was our sin bearer. He took the penalty that was due for us, so we can live, He had to die.

He took our place, we deserved to be condemned, but He was. He did no wrong, but He was punished for our sin. He was the scapegoat; He was the one that took our sin and brought us back into fellowship with God.

Because of the cross, the fountain is opened up. Any person who dips in this precious fountain is cleansed from their sin.

Nothing but this fountain can cleanse the dirty depraved sinner, only the pure fountain of the blood of Jesus.

Praise God… have you been cleansed by this wonderful fountain?

I hope you can sing the wonderful hymn… the fountain is opened, come to that fountain and be cleansed:

Hymn: There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains:

Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in His day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away:

Washed all my sins away,
Washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow’r,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are safe, to sin no more:

Are safe, to sin no more,
Are safe, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are safe, to sin no more.

E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:

And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save:

I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save;
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.