Palms 123:1-2

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and kept calling me to lie down in Malachi 3:1:

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.

You probably know the context and fulfillment of this prophecy is John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10).

It speaks of the “messenger” who will prepare the way before the Lord, whom God’s people sought, with the promise that, when this “way” is prepared, He would “suddenly come to his temple.” This is the “messenger of the covenant” in whom the people delight.

Consider a New Testament application of this prophecy concerning John the Baptist.

John was the messenger of the Old Testament Covenant; we are messengers of the New (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:8

John prepared the way for Christ in His first coming; we prepare the way for Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 24:14).

John prepared the way for Christ to “suddenly come to his [Old Testament] Temple,” and we prepare the way for Christ to “suddenly come to his [New Testament] Temple” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Along the still waters, the Spirit spoke to my heart: “Messenger, prepare the way!”

In the valley, He showed me the way: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed us into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏