05/12/2022
Advent Private Worship Guide –Week Two
Song: “Greater Than Our Hearts” by Indelible Grace Music
Passage: Malachi 3:1-7a
Meditation: The season of Advent is often undermined, or overtaken, by invasive opinions and attitudes of sentimentality or cynicism. We see it on t-shirts declaring, “Naughty is the new nice” or in the scenes of holiday specials where nativity scenes are mocked, misunderstood, or ignored altogether. Unfortunately, the sentimentality and cynicism are not only found outside of our homes in our culture, but oftentimes within our own hearts. We need a Savior who can cleanse our hearts and realign our perspective on the purpose of the season, indeed, to reorient us to the very purpose of our lives.
It is comforting to know that our struggles are not unique, nor without a solution. The prophet Malachi identifies the same tension within God’s people some 2400 years ago. The good news is he doesn’t stop at merely identifying the problem, but also proclaims the reality of the purifying power of God’s grace in the coming Messiah…a purifying power that we are all in need of if we are to escape the tendency to call evil good, and good evil, while doubting and denying the one true, and living, God. May we find ourselves resting in the reality of this purifying grace of our Lord Jesus Christ this Advent season as we continuously return to Him who alone is worthy, in order to be reoriented in Spirit and truth and refit for service both now and into eternity.
Daily Discussion Questions
Monday: What are some things you have noticed recently that society calls “good” when in reality, God’s word identifies it as “evil?” What are some things you have attempted to justify recently within your own heart and mind along these same lines? Take a few moments to confess these before the Lord.
Tuesday: Malachi 3:1 declares that the Lord will send His “messenger and he will prepare the way before me,” and the “the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” Spend some time reading Luke 2:22-32 and 3:1-4; How do the fulfillment of these specific prophecies from Malachi impact you today? How might they aid you in sharing with others who are cynical, or merely sentimental, regarding this season?
Wednesday: This section of Malachi opens with a cynical question of “Where is the God of justice?” Take time today to list and/or discuss as a family the many places you can see the God of justice at work in real time, real places, and in real people.
Thursday: Malachi 3.5 affirms that judgement is coming swiftly. In light ofthis reality, spend time meditating on John 3:16-21 and discussing the comfort, and perhaps even concerns, we have as God’s children living between the first and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday: Malachi 3.6 declares “For I the Lord do not change, therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Take time today to discuss the changes that knowing and walking in obedience to the Lord have brought (are bringing about) within you. Have you ever felt as if you were being consumed in this process? Share this story of growth along your journey with at least one other person today.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we continue to return to you in all things. Amen
