Psalm 8:1, 16:2, 123:1-2, 31:1-3

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Malachi 3. The Spirit began speaking to me through verse 1:

Malachi 3:1 ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.*

When He came, the heathen raged, and the kings of the earth conspired against the LORD (Jehovah) and His anointed, Christ (Psalm 2:1-12). This explains the odd phrasing in Malachi 3:1 — the LORD (Jehovah) is sending his advance man (John the Baptist) to “prepare the way” before His anointed, the Lord, the expected Messiah.

The LORD declared that He (the Lord) would suddenly come to His Temple — the Temple of God belongs to the Messiah, it’s His.

Along the still waters, I reflected on the truth that this body is His Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). I thought of the truth that this body is His, it is no longer ours: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” “Ye are not your own”!

I don’t believe I have been the faithful steward of His body that I should have been, at least not in terms of its physical care. Spiritually, for more than four decades, I have made it a study to bring it under subjection and present it as a living sacrifice unto God (Romans 12:1-2). My success has been inconsistent, but I am progressing toward greater sanctification.

I desire to be a faithful “advance man” for the LORD, preparing His way to the doors and hearts of my neighbors. I want to be an effective “messenger”, preparing a “highway” for the LORD to the doors and hearts of my neighbors. God helping me, I want to prepare a “highway” for this Gospel of the Kingdom to be preached in all the world for the coming of the King (Matthew 24:14). I want to always be prepared for the LORD to visit His Temple and never be caught unprepared. I look forward to His coming “suddenly.”

In the valley, Jesus responded to my heart cry and reminded me that all proceeds well when I humble myself to His call: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Jesus can call for us at any time, let us be prepared for His sudden visit!

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy hurried to catch up as we went into the harvest!

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v75gdqe-shepherds-pasture.html

[*The Jews traditionally understand the first “messenger” to be Elijah mentioned in Malachi 4:5. The second “messenger of the covenant” is understood to be the angel of the LORD.]