Day 236 - Malachi 1–3 Psalm 43

In Malachi 1, God speaks through Malachi, reminding His people of His deep love for them. Yet, He points out how they had grown careless in offering Him their best. This shows how easy it is for us to slip into giving God the scraps of our time, energy, or heart. God wants all of us, completely no negotiation. In Malachi 2, the message turns to the leaders. They were supposed to guide people closer to God, but instead they themselves had turned away from His ways. In Malachi 3, Malachi describes a special messenger who will come ahead of the Lord, preparing hearts for His arrival. When the Lord comes, He is like fire that melts away what doesn’t belong and like soap that makes things clean. His goal is never to destroy but to polish, purify, and restore. If you are feeling destroyed, it’s worth asking, “Is it God molding me, or am I not listening?” In Psalm 43, The psalmist cries out for God’s light and truth to guide him. This psalm reminds us that even when we feel discouraged or distant, we can choose to lean on God.