Fear His Name

Malachi 4:2

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

I have been pondering the prophecy of Malechi recently. In a world with so much uncertainty I find that Malachi brings understanding and comfort to us just as his prophecy did for the Jewish people who were waiting for relief from oppression. Malachi tells us that rejecting God’s authority in the decisions of our lives will result in destruction. It will destroy our lives, our world, our neighborhoods,and even our churches.

Malachi also tells us that the fear of God results in the spreading of righteousness. When we fear God we are part of the spread of His righteousness in a dark world. We have to ask ourselves does my fear of God bring more light to the world around me or does my lack of fear suppress the light.  This sun of righteousness brings healing. Does my fear of God bring healing to the world around me? The sun of righteousness brings freedom. Like a calf freed from the restrictions of the barn does my fear of God bring joy and happiness to myself and others.

As we begin this New Year let’s together honestly ask ourselves if we fear the name of God. Can you imagine what our church, our community, or even our world would look like if all of His people truly lived in the fear of God. Can you imagine a world filled with the sun of righteousness healing this world setting all people free from the control of sin?

Let us truly be able to anticipate a “Happy New Year” as we fear the name of God together.