December 14th - Waiting for the Sudden

Reading of Scripture:

"I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.

- Malachi 3:1

Have you ever received an unexpected package? Maybe you heard a knock at the door, and there sat a surprise delivery. There's something thrilling about that moment - the unexpected becoming reality right before your eyes. In this passage from Malachi, God promises something even more exciting: a sudden arrival that would change everything.

The word "suddenly" in this verse carries such weight. The people of Israel had been waiting for centuries for their Messiah, going about their daily lives, maintaining their rituals and traditions. Then, in God's perfect timing, everything changed. First came John the Baptist, the messenger crying out in the wilderness. And then, almost before anyone could catch their breath, Jesus himself appeared on the scene.

But notice what God says about this arrival - it's the Lord "you are seeking" and the messenger "whom you desire." Even in their waiting, even in their spiritual drowsiness, there was something in the hearts of God's people that longed for Him. It's like having a hunger you can't quite name until the meal is set before you. Then suddenly you realize - this is exactly what you've been craving all along.

Sometimes we read these prophecies and think only of their historical fulfillment. But this passage speaks to us today too. Just as the temple was the meeting place between God and His people in the Old Testament, Jesus now makes His temple in the hearts of believers. The sudden arrival continues to happen - every time someone encounters Jesus for the first time, every time the Spirit breaks through our routine with a fresh revelation of God's presence.

Further Reading:

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.'"

- Isaiah 28:16-17

Ask the Following Questions:

1. When was the last time you experienced a "sudden" awareness of God's presence in your life? What were the circumstances?

2. The temple was a physical place where people went to meet with God. Where and how do you most often experience God's presence today?

3. The passage speaks of the Lord "whom you desire." If you're honest with yourself, what competing desires might be crowding out your desire for God's presence?

Prayer:

Father, thank you for being a God who comes to us. As we remember your first arrival during this Advent season, make us more aware of the ways you continue to break into our daily lives. Sharpen our desire for you. Help us to recognize your presence, even in unexpected places and times. May we be ready to receive you, not just in grand moments, but in the ordinary seconds of our days. In Jesus' name, Amen.