The Daily Word of Righteousness

One in Christ in God, #61

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be straw: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:1,2)

We notice the Glory of God during the darkest hour of earth's history.

The destruction of the wicked on the earth is associated with the healing of God's people and their growth to maturity.

Isaiah informs us of the manner in which God in the Head and Body of Christ, who is the Servant of the Lord, will respond to the maturing of wickedness in the earth.

The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. (Isaiah 42:13)

When will God "go forth as a mighty man"? When will He "cry, yea, roar"? When will He "prevail against his enemies"? When will all this take place?

It will happen during the night in which no man can work. The preparation for the going forth of the Lord is occurring now as we allow the Lord Jesus to enter our hearts to the fullest extent, giving ourselves to Him in strict obedience and diligent discipleship.

If we accept Christ as Lord over us, the Father and the Son will make Their abode with us. Meanwhile, the peoples of the earth will bring themselves down to the lowest cesspools of filth, even as we see in our day. Sin and rebellion cause Divine judgment to fall on the nations of the earth.

Then, at the appointed hour, the Father in the Son will "roar" through the Church. The saints of the Lord will be the vessels God uses to bring utter destruction upon the kingdom of darkness.

Isaiah teaches that the darkest hour to come on the earth will be the occasion for the greatest light to arise on the saints of Christ.

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:2)

We Christians are to make sure we do not allow ourselves to become troubled or afraid no matter what we see coming to pass on the earth. Rather, we are to dwell "in the secret place of the most High." If we shall keep ourselves in the center of the will of Christ, serving Him diligently, the protection of the Lord will cover us. The plagues of judgment will not come near us. No evil will befall us.

We can hide ourselves under the wings of the almighty God.

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (Isaiah 26:20)

To be continued.