VBC Ogijo

16/11/2025

07/04/2025

SEEK DAILY (NBC)

Monday, April 7

RBT Passage: 2 Samuel 20-22

OUR SINS HAVE HIDDEN GOD'S FACE

Memory Verse: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2, NIV

Text: Isaiah 59:1-8

Isaiah 59:1-8 NIV
[1] Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

[2] But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

[3] For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

[4] No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.

[5] They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.

[6] Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

[7] Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.

[8] The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

_________________________
How will you feel as a parent if, after giving several instructions to your son, he ends up breaking your rules over and over again? How cordial will the relationship between you and that son be compared with your daughter, who is always attentive and obedient to your instructions?

Isaiah began today's passage by reminding the people of God's ability to save them in difficult times and to hear when they call Him in trouble. However, sin always separates God and man. Sin prevents our prayers from reaching God. It hinders God from hearing us. Sin disrupts our relationship with God. For you to have a smooth and continuous relationship with God, you must come to Jesus to cleanse you with His blood.

It is risky and dangerous to continue in sin because it can become a foothold for the devil. God cannot behold sin, and He is not a respecter of anyone. Call on Jesus now for deliverance from the power of sin and surrender your life to Him. Make Him Lord over your life today and receive the grace to live righteously. If anyone around is living in sin, make sure that you sound the note of warning to them so that you can save them along with yourself. Do not be a selfish believer; bring others to Christ today.

_________________________
Insight: "Sin sever our relationship with God." Whoever respects God as his or her Creator will not live in sin. Repent!

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me of every sin that has separated me from you and restore me.

07/04/2025

*DAILY ENCOUNTER WITH GOD (NBC)*

*MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025*

*OUR SINS HAVE HIDDEN GOD'S FACE*

*BH 350: Is Your All on the Altar?*

1 Your have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest
Until all on the altar is laid.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifices laid?
Your heart, does the spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

2.Would you walk with the lord in the light of His word,
And have peace and contentment always;
You must do His sweet will to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.

3.Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.

4.Who can tell all the love He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.

*Memory verse:* But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear Isaiah 59:2, NIV

*Text: Isaiah 59:1-8*

[1] Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

[2] But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

[3] For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

[4] No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.

[5] They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.

[6] Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

[7] Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.

[8] The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.
_______

While righteousness exalts a nation, sin has consistently been a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). This describes the social degradation of the nation of Israel that led to their captivity. The nation's sins hid God's face from them.

Sin prevents prayer from being answeredIsrael's sins included murder, lying, injustice and plotting evil.

Their actions were like those of deadly poisonous snakes, for they were harming one another and were constantly travelling through evil paths. Isaiah made it clear that just as people can see through cobwebs, God sees through people's evil deeds and judges them.

The prophet reminded the nation that the Lord could save them, despite their difficult circumstances. He is powerful His arms are not short, and He is caring.

This implies that Israel needed to call out to God, He and would come to their rescue, if they could do away with their iniquities and embrace righteousness.

As in the time of Isaiah, sin has the same effects onsinners. It destroys, ceases peace, and finally brings total separation from God.

Therefore, the only safe place is to lay all your sins at the cross of Christ through prayers of forgiveness.

Are you struggling with a particular sin that seems to have become the master of your life? Confess it to Christ today; God is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

*Perceive:* No matter the pleasure we enjoy in life, the wages of sin remain DEATH.

*Ponder:* You cannot get God's attention when you continue in sin.

*Practise:* Stay away from sin; you will always see God's face.

*Pray:* Look upon me, O Lord, and be merciful; do not turn your face away from me.

*Prayer:* Lord, with my obedience, I shut Hade's gate and release life.

*Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches:* Jonathan O. Ihwighwu, Amukpe; Odewole Niyi, Kaduna; Akindele-Akinkunmi K. T., Ogbomoso; Ukachukwu T.O.C. Eziome; Atumunaonye P.W.C., Inyishi; Ogundiran G. A., Ondo; Aremu D.T., Ogbomoso; Odeleye A.O., Ogbomoso; Olopade J.A., Ogbomoso; Adeniregun S.A., Lagos; Ishola D.M., Obagun; Adeniran O.O., Iyeku; Nwachukwu C.N., Rivers; Micheal Nwankwo, Umuoye; Dorcas Adebayo, Kisi; Paul Adeyemo, Katsina; Excellent M. Kuryas., Zaria; Okodase J. Edafe, Delta; Oladele O.P., Lagos; Bolaji Odejide, Ilorin; Francis A. Showemimo, Abeokuta

*RBT: 2 Samuel 20-22*

07/04/2025

*BIBA OLORUN PADE LOJOOJUMO (NBC YORUBA)*

*MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025*

*EŞĘ WA TI PA OJU OLORUN MQ*

*YBH 616: Mo Fi Gbogbo Re Fun Jesu*

1.MO fi gbogbo re fun Jesu
Patapata laiku kan;
Ngo ma fe ngo si gbekele,
Ngo si ma ba gbe t**i,
Mo fi gbogbo re,
Mo fi gbogbo re,
Fun O Olugbala mi ni
Mo fi won sile.

2.Mo fi gbogbo re fun Jesu,
Mo si wole lese Re;
Mo fi afe aiye sile
Jesu jo gba mi wayi,
Mo fi gbogbo re, etc.

3.Mo fi gbogbo re fun Jesu,
Jesu se mi ni tire;
Jek' Emi Mimo s' eleri
P' emi tire, 'wo t' emi.
Mo fi gbogbo re, etc.

4.Mo fi gbogbo rè fun Jesu
Mo f' ara mi f’ Oluwa;
F' ife at' agbara kun mi,
Si fun mi n' ibukun Re.
Mo fi gbogbo re, etc.

5.Mo fi gbogbo re fun Jesu,
Okan mi ngbona wayi;
A! ayo igbala kikun!
Ogo ni f’ Oruko Re.

*Ese wura:* Sugbon aisedeede yin ni o ya yin kuro lodo Olorun yin, ati ese yin ni o pa oju Re mo kuro lodo yin, ti Oun ki yoo fi gbọ. Isaiah 59:2

*Bibeli Kika: Isaiah 59:1-8*

[1] KIYESI i, ọwọ́ Oluwa kò kuru lati gbàni, bẹ̃ni eti rẹ̀ kò wuwo ti kì yio fi gbọ́.

[2] Ṣugbọn aiṣedede nyin li o yà nyin kuro lọdọ Ọlọrun nyin, ati ẹ̀ṣẹ nyin li o pa oju rẹ̀ mọ kuro lọdọ nyin, ti on kì yio fi gbọ́.

[3] Nitori ọwọ́ nyin di alaimọ́ fun ẹ̀jẹ, ati ika nyin fun aiṣedede, ète nyin nsọ eke, ahọn nyin nsọ ibi jade.

[4] Kò si ẹniti nwá ẹtọ́, bẹ̃ni kò si ẹniti ndajọ ni otitọ: nwọn gbẹkẹle ohun asan, nwọn nsọ eke; nwọn loyun ikà, nwọn mbí iparun.

[5] Nwọn npa ẹyin pamọlẹ, nwọn nhun okùn alantakùn: ẹniti o jẹ ninu ẹyin wọn yio kú, ati eyi ti a tẹ̀ bẹ́ ọká jade.

[6] Okùn wọn kì yio di ẹwù, bẹ̃ni nwọn kì yio fi iṣẹ wọn bò ara wọn: iṣẹ wọn ni iṣẹ ikà, iṣe ipá si mbẹ li ọwọ́ wọn.

[7] Ẹsẹ wọn sare si ibi, nwọn si yara lati tajẹ̀ alaiṣẹ̀ silẹ: èro wọn èro ibi ni; ibajẹ ati iparun mbẹ ni ipa wọn.

[8] Ọ̀na alafia ni nwọn kò mọ̀; kò si idajọ kan ninu ìrin wọn: nwọn ṣe ipa-ọ̀na wiwọ́ fun ara wọn: ẹnikẹni ti o ba tọ̀ ọ kì yio mọ̀ alafia.

_______

Bi ododo se n gbe orile-ede leke, ni ese n fi igba gbogbo je egan fun gbogbo eniyan (Owe 14:34).

Eyi sapejuwe iwa ibaje awujo ti Orile-ede Isreli ti o se okunfa oko igbekun won. Awọn ese orile-ede naa pa oju Olorun mo kuro lodo wọn.

Ese maa n se idena fun adura lati gba. Awọn ese on ba awọn ọmọ Isręli finra ni iwonyii: ipaniyan, p**a, aiṣododo ati gbigbimo ibi. Awọn işesi won dabi ti ejo oloro, nitori won n pa ara wọn lara, wọn si n rin ona ibi nigba gbogbo.

Isaiah je ki o han kedere gege bi awọn eniyan ti le riran nipase owu alantakun bee gege ni Olorun se maa n wo iwa ibi ti awọn eniyan n hu, O si n se idajo won. Wolii naa ran awọn orileede yii leti wi pe Olorun le e gba wọn, bi wọn tile wa ni ipo ti o le.

O ni agbara, apa Rẹ ko kuru, O si n bikita. Eyi tumo si pe Isreli nilo lati kepe Olorun, Yoo gba wọn, ti won ba lee mu aiṣedeede wọn kuro ki won si gba ododo.

Gege bi o ti ri ni akoko Isaiah, ese ni ipa kan naa lori awọn ẹlese. O maa n mu iparun wa, o maa n di alaafia lọwọ, nigbeyin, o maa n fa iyapa patapata kuro lodo Olorun.

Nitori naa, aaye kan soso ti o daju ti o le gbe gbogbo ese re lo ni ibi agbelebu Jesu Kristi nipasę adura idarijin.

Nje o ni ese kan pato ti on ba waya-ija ti o dabi pe o ti je gaba lori aye re?

Jewo re fun Kristi lonii; olododo ati olotiito ni Olorun lati darijin ọ ati lati wę o nu kuro ninu gbogbo aiṣododo.

*Woye:* Ko si iru igbadun ti a le maa gbadun ni aye yii, IKU ni ere ese.

*Ronu:* O ko lee ri oju Olorun ti o ba n tęsiwaju ninu ese.

*Fi Si Işe:* Takete si ese; iwo yoo maa ri oju Olorun.

*Gbadura:* Boju wo mi Oluwa, ki O si saanu fun mi, mase yi oju Re pada kuro lodo mi.

*Gbadura:* Oluwa, pelu igboran mi, mo tilekun orun apaadi, mo gba iye.

*Gbadura fun awon Eni-Owo wonyi, idile ati awọn ọmọ ijo Olorun:* Jonathan O. Ihwighwu, Amukpe; Odewole Niyi, Kaduna; AkindeleAkinkunmi K. T., Ogbomoso; Ukachukwu T.O.C. Eziome; Atumunaonye P.W.C., Inyishi; Ogundiran G. A., Ondo; Aremu D.T., Ogbomoso; Odeleye A.O., Ogbomoso; Olopade J.A., Ogbomoso; Adeniregun S.A., Eko; Ishola D.M., Obagun; Adeniran O.O., Iyeku; Nwachukwu C.N., Rivers; Micheal Nwankwo, Umuoye; Dorcas Adebayo, Kisi; Paul Adeyemo, Katsina; Excellent M. Kuryas., Zaria; Okodase J. Edafe, Delta; Oladele O.P., Eko; Bolaji Odejide, Ilorin; Francis A. Showemimo, Abeokuta.

*KBJL: Samueli Keji 20-22*

13/12/2024

*BIBA OLORUN PADE LOJOOJUMO (NBC YORUBA)*

*FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024*

*IKEDE WIWA QLQRUN*

*YBH 95: Gbo Eda Orun N korin*

1.Gbo eda orun nkorin,
“Ogo fun Oba t’ a bi.”
“Alafia l’ aiye yi,”
Olorun ba wa laja,
Gbogbo eda, nde l’ ayo,
Dapo mo hiho t’ orun;
W’ Alade Alafia!
Wo Orun ododo de.
Gbo eda orun nkorin
Gbo fun Oba t’ a bi.

2.O bo ‘go Re s’ apakan,
A bi, k’ enia ma ku,
A bi, k’ O gb’ enia ro,
A bi, k’ O le tun wa bi.
Wa Ireti enia,
Se ile Re ninu wa;
Nde, Iru Omobirin
Bori Esu ninu wa;
Gbo eda orun nkorin
Gbo fun Oba t’ a bi.

3.Pa aworan Adam run,
F’ aworan Re s’ ipo re;
Jo, masai f’ Emi Re kun
Okan gbogb’ onigbagbo.
Ogo fun Oba t’ a bi
Je ki gbogbo wa gberin.
“Alafia l’ aiye yi,
Olorun ba wa laja.
Gbo eda orun nkorin
Gbo fun Oba t’ a bi.

*Ese wura:* “Wò ó, èmi yóò rán wòlíì Èlíjà sí i yín, ki ọjọ́ ńlá, ọjọ́ ẹ̀rù Olúwa to dé: Malaki 4:5

*Bibeli Kika: Malaki 4:1-6*

1 “Dájúdájú, ọjọ́ náà ń bọ̀; tí yóò máa jó bi iná ìléru. Gbogbo àwọn agbéraga, àti gbogbo àwọn olùṣe búburú yóò dàbí àgékù koríko: ọjọ́ náà tí ń bọ̀ yóò si jó wọn run,” ni OLÚWA àwọn ọmọ ogun wí, “Ti ki yóò fi kù gbòǹgbò kan tàbí ẹ̀ka kan fún wọn.

2 Ṣùgbọ́n fún ẹ̀yin tí ó bẹ̀rù orúkọ mi, òòrùn ododo yóò yọ, pẹ̀lú ìmúlárada ni ìyẹ́ apá rẹ̀. Ẹ̀yin yóò sì jáde lọ, ẹ̀yin yóò sì máa fò fún ayọ̀ bi àwọn ẹgbọ̀rọ̀ màlúù tí a tú sílẹ̀ lórí ìso.

3 Ẹ̀yin yóò sì tẹ àwọn ènìyàn búburú mọ́lẹ̀: nítorí wọn yóò di eérú lábẹ́ àtẹ́lẹsẹ̀ yín, ní ọjọ́ náà tí èmi yóò ṣe nǹkan wọ̀nyí,” ni OLÚWA àwọn ọmọ ogun wí.

4 “Ẹ rántí òfin Mósè ìránṣẹ́ mi, àwọn ìlànà àti òfin èyí tí mo fún un ní Hórébù fún gbogbo Ísírẹ́lì.”

5 “Wò ó, èmi yóò rán wòlíì Èlíjà sí i yín, ki ọjọ́ ńlá, ọjọ́ ẹ̀rù Olúwa to dé:

6 Òun yóò sì pa ọkàn àwọn baba dà sí ti àwọn ọmọ, àti ọkàn àwọn ọmọ sì ti àwọn baba wọn, bí bẹ́ẹ̀ kọ́, èmi yóò wá, èmi yóò sì fi ilẹ̀ náà gégùn-ún.”

_________

Wiwo bi oorun se n yo ni kutukutu owuro le mu ki eniyan kun fun iyanu latari ewa rę ti o n tan. O je okan lara ohun ti o logo ti a le fi oju ri ni agbaye, ti o n so nipa bi ojo tuntun se maa n yo.

Sugbon lila oorun n se ise meji. O le ta ni lara tabi ki o jo ni tabi ki o je ki ara mooru. O n wa pẹlu ileri awọn ohun ti o se e se ati awon anfaani ti ko lopin.

Abala kika ti oni ni ori ti o keyin iwe ti o gbeyin Majemu Laelae - Malaki. O kun fun ikede wiwa Oluwa ati ojo nla Oluwa. Malaki so pe yoo je ojo ti Olorun yoo pinnu awon ti yoo lo ayeraye pelu Re ati awon ti a o ya kuro lodo Re laelae.

O le dabii pe ariwo awon eniyan buburu n goke ti won si n wa lati pa awon to fe Olorun lenu mo, sugbon Isreli gbodo ranti pe ojo idajo n bo nigba ti a o pa awon oluṣe buburu run, ti a o si fi ere fun awon olododo.

Sugbon saaju isele naa, igba itura yoo wa. Wiwa Elija ni yoo fi opin si idakeje Olorun. Yoo si je akoko isoji. Malaki pari pelu ileri ojo tuntun kan.

Awa onigbagbo ni lati bowo fun Olorun gidigidi, ki a gbe labee ododo Olorun, ki Emi Re si maa dari. Wiwa Oluwa yoo fi opin si iwa buburu.

Bakan naa, a gbodo je eni to n kede ipadabo Re. Nje o setan fun wiwa Oluwa bi? O ti koko wa bii Mesaya, sugbon On padabo lati se idajo aye. Mura sile!

*Woye:* Gbogbo Kristiani ni o ye ki o je olupolongo wiwa Oluwa. woye:

*Ronu:* Nigba wo ni so fun awon eniyan nipa ipadabo Jesu Kristi Oluwa keyin?

*Fi Si Işe:* Pinnu lati waasu ipadabo Re.

*Gbadura:* Oluwa, fun mi ni oore-ofe lati murasile fun ipadabo Re.

*Gbadura:* Oore-ofę Olorun yoo to fun o lonii.

*Gbadura fun awon Eni-Qwo wonyii, idile ati awon o̟mo̟ ijo Olorun:* Abili S. Abili, Bayelsa; Olugbade Adesanya, Cote D'Ivoire; Olawumi Olayinka A., Eko; Oladimeji Femi, Eko; Alamu S. Oluwole, Ilorin; Odejobi S. Tola, Ondo; Adeyemi Paul O., Eko; Aderemi A. Matthew, Owo; Adewoye J.A., Eko.

*KBJL: Tesalonika Keji 1-3*

13/12/2024

*DAILY ENCOUNTER WITH GOD (NBC)*

*FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024*

*THE HERALD OF GOD'S COMING*

*BH 81: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing*

1.Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King

2.Christ, by highest heaver adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb,
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Immanuel

3.Hail the heav’n born prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings,
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. Amen

*Memory verse:* See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. Malachi 4:5, NIV

*Text: Malachi 4:1-6*

Malachi 4:1 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them.

Malachi 4:2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Malachi 4:3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act," says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 4:4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

Malachi 4:5 "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."

__________

Watching the sunrise early in the morning can fill one with awe by its glowing beauty. It is one of the glorious sights of the universe, heralding the coming of a new day.

But the rising of the sun comes with a dual purpose. It can either scorch and burn or warm and make cozy. It comes with the promise of endless possibilities and opportunities.

The passage today is the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament- Malachi. It contains the herald of the Lord's coming and the great day of the LORD.

Malachi stated that it will be a day when God will determine those who will spend eternity with Him or be eternally separated from Him.

It may appear that the wicked seem loud and seek to silence those that love God, but Israel must remember that the day of judgment is coming when the wicked will be destroyed, and the righteous will be rewarded.

But before the event, there will be a reprieve. God's silence will be broken by the coming of Elijah. It would be a time of revival. Malachi ends with the promise of a new day.

Believers are to revere the Lord, live under the righteousness of God and be led by His Spirit. The coming of the Lord will bring an end to wickedness.

We must also be the herald of His second coming. Are you ready for the coming of the Lord? He came first as the Messiah, but He is coming again to judge the earth. Be ready!

*Perceive:* All Christians are to be herald of the Lord's coming.

*Ponder:* When last did you tell people about the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?

*Practise:* Determine to share the message of His second coming.

*Pray:* O Lord, grant me the grace to prepare for Your second coming.

*Prayer:* The grace of God will be sufficient for you today.

*Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches:* Abili S.Abili, Bayelsa; Olugbade Adesanya, Cote D'Ivoire; Olawumi Olayinka A., Lagos; Oladimeji Femi, Lagos; Alamu S. Oluwole, Ilorin; Odejobi S. Tola, Ondo; Adeyemi Paul O., Lagos; Aderemi A. Matthew, Owo; Adewoye J.A., Lagos.

*RBT: 2 Thessalonians 1-3*

13/12/2024

*SEEK DAILY (NBC)*

*Friday, December 13, 2024*

*THE HERALD OF GOD'S COMING*

*Memory verse:* "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes." Malachi 4:5, NIV.

*Malachi 4:1-6*

Malachi 4:1 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them.

Malachi 4:2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Malachi 4:3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act," says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 4:4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

Malachi 4:5 "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."

___________

In Fleming James' view, the herald of God's message is to be no mere announcer. He is rather God's agent who by the 'word' accomplishes what he foretells, whether good or bad.

Malachi looked forward to the time God will judge the world, which is sometimes referred to as the day of the Lord. There will be a separation of good and evil, and evil will be destroyed.

By contrast, the day of judgment holds no fear for the believer. Instead of fear and condemnation, the Lord will reward believers and make His Sun of Righteousness to shine upon them.

Malachi describes the assignment of Elijah, that he would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the children to their fathers.

The assignment will be one of reconciliation, and it will be before the return of Christ. It is obvious that it is because of the love of God that Israel was not consumed. It is still God's love that is holding back the coming judgment.

God has provided the way of salvation for all who would accept His gift of life. This is a challenge to all people, and for the church to proclaim this news is indeed very good.

*Insight:* In Christ, man is delivered from eternal condemnation.

*Prayer:* God, make me a channel of Your love to reach others for Christ.

*RBT: 2 Thessalonians 1-3*