Malachi 4:1-2

Malachi 4:1-2 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."

Commander of Heaven's Armies, You paint a frighteningly vivid picture of the day of judgment that's coming. Repeatedly, You warn us in Your Word that You are coming like a thief in the night. We do not know when, but we do know how. A huge ball of fire will peal off from heaven with a deafening rumble of thunder and blinding lightning that will cause unbelievable doomsday disaster on earth. Grasping for straws, desperate people will cry out for their leaders to save them. Because our political leaders, business leaders, and spiritual leaders have made a series of catastrophic choices, they will be fully engaged and powerless to contain the blazing inferno. Since we the people allowed them to build our country with highly combustible materials like debt, deceit, greed, and egotism we should not be surprised when it's all gone in a flash. But, You promise those who acknowledge You will walk through the scorching heat and not be burned; the smoldering smog will not overpower them. Like silver, gold and costly gems that are refined and purified when they pass through a furnace, those who revere You will come out on the other side bursting with brilliance. Thank You Lord for awakening my heart to the harsh reality that You are coming. When You do, may I be found a faithful follower who has built with imperishable, eternal treasures on the bedrock of Jesus Christ. Amen.

If today were Judgment Day. how would you fare? Will you come through the fire unscathed, or be devoured by it? Consider the consequences of your choices today. Turn from your sin, believe in Jesus, and walk in His ways rather than the ways of the world.