He’s Swift, Turn Back

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. —  Malachi 3:5

So Malachi gives the people a list of crimes prevented by the Law:

1. Sorcery.
2. Adultery.
3. False testimony.
4. Withholding compensation.
5. Oppression of the weak.
6. Injustice to strangers.

But don't read this list without slowly and carefully reading the lead-in. It is God who judges these six things. And he does so from the only position of perfect righteousness. He easily perceives right from wrong and will judge it swiftly because he discerns it so readily. Unlike man, who thinks he can discern like God but cannot.

And this infers a warning to all mankind. That at that moment, we think we are right, we need to return to the spiritual insight of this verse. Because a tiny bit of self-righteousness and justification will draw us toward the unrighteous activities listed here. And those who are of the world will accept us when we do these things. But these activities will set a man against the justice of God. And we should fear this because he is righteous. To God, they are not small things. They are crimes against him and his people. So if you need to change your course today and fear God, not just for the swift judgment that is coming. Fear him because he is the only righteous one, and he desires to save you from all unrighteousness.

ASK THIS: Do you need to change course?

DO THIS: Confess to God and turn back to him.

PRAY THIS: God, I confess my sin and turn back to you.

PLAY THIS: No Turning Back.