August 11, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“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 4.2)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

Without sunlight, our bodies would be far worse off. There is healing properties in the sunlight which help to produce body chemistry necessary for our bodies to function properly. We also know that too much sunlight can also damage the skin of the body. There has to be a healthy balance of time and energy for our bodies to do well. I am sure that you, as I, cannot help but to project a Messianic interpretation on this verse especially when it comes to the term “sun of righteousness.” The old King James Version capitalized the word “sun” to reflect that connotation. However, as many commentators have noticed, the term itself does not appear within the New Testament witness. Because of that the word “sun” remains in lower case for all other translations. Yet, the idea itself does cause us to pause and reflect on the term itself. If God did not intend for us to glean some image of goodness from it, I doubt that He would have Malachi proclaim it.

First, the scene presented speaks of a future age when “the Day” comes and judgment over the just and the unjust has taken place. The two distinct realities of that event are shown as cause and effect. Those who profane the name of the Lord, reject the validity of His Word and act upon their own self-interest will be destroyed with an everlasting death. The fire of God’s judgment, the purifying fire of His Holy Spirit, will reduce that which is impure to be seen as it is. Equally, those who seek the Lord, believe in His Word and trust Him with their very lives [body, mind, heart and soul] will also be reduced and purified. What is impure will pass away and what is good [that which serves the Lord and produces goodness as intended] will survive and be blessed with eternal life.

Second, the lifegiving power of the sun of righteousness transforms the moment of transformation into a youthful exuberance evidenced as calves leaping in springtime. There is joy and fulfillment and a sense of rebirth. Out of winter’s sleep comes springtime renewal. The seed that is sown results in new life. This is the hope of our salvation. It is not a continuation of the old, regardless of how “good” a life it may have been or seem. It is a new life born out of spirit and truth. It has a vitality that cannot be bridled because it will exist in the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom where the sun of righteousness can be none other than the Son of Righteousness. That term itself holds two special identities: the righteous Son who does the will of His Father and the righteous Father who gives life with such reward that its fullness cannot be contained.

This is the image given to Malachi. It is the image which all mighty ones of Christ long for: to live in the light of His mercy and grace.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.