I stayed home spending time with my family today and getting schoolwork done. In the evening my brother went to Mountain Mike's for an end-of-the-season soccer party. I didn't go, but my dad went and took pictures for me. I have two midterms a week from tomorrow, so I'm getting into crunch mode.

Devotion time questions:

Malachi 4

What does the imagery in v. 2 tell us about what God wants for his people?

He desires for his people to leave the darkness and enter his light. He desires to guide us, protect us, nourish us, and help us see clearly, but first we must turn out hearts towards him and revere his name.

How important is it that Malachi reminds Israel to “remember the law of my servant Moses” in light of God’s prophetic voice being silent for the next 400 years?

God does not leave his people to blindly stumble about for 400 years, but already laid out his instructions for how they were to conduct themselves as God's people. It shows that God did not abandon his people, but continued to love and guide them.

What is my typical attitude towards the word of God when God seems silent?

Thoughts omitted here.

What steps can I take to keep God’s word close to my heart?

Reading and meditating on God's word often, not neglecting devotion times and other times I can read the Bible.

Paying close attention to what I read, making sure I absorb and take to heart as much as I can.

Becoming as knowledgeable about the Bible as I can, by studying often and memorizing verses.

What is the significance of Malachi exhorting the Israelites to remember Moses and Elijah?

The law and the warnings of the prophets were all the people would require for the next 400 years, before the coming of "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

By observing the laws, the people could know the way God desired for them to live their lives, and by remembering the warnings of the prophets, they could become aware of when they began to walk astray.

In what ways will the “day of the Lord” coming be both a “great and dreadful day”? Reflect on the fact that the “day of the Lord” came not with fire and wrath, but as gentle and loving Jesus dying to take the punishment for my sins, and that his righteousness covers me.

Jesus came no with fire and wrath but with sacrificial love. The Israelites did not recognize him, but instead rejected him and crucified him. This was for the atonement for the sins of all humanity, and therefore was a great day, as it bridge the infinite rift between God and man, and allowed us a way to reconcile ourselves with Him.

When Jesus returns, it will be another great and dreadful day, depending on the spiritual condition of the people on that day.

The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
Revelation 14:19-20

He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
Revelation 19:15