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Malachi 1:1-4
The structure of Malachi is very clear. God brings an accusation or confronting assertion to his people, God's people respond, God brings an application and assurance of his action.

The first statement by God is in verse 2 - and it sits at the foundation of the whole book - " 'I have loved you', says the LORD".

God states his undying, never-moving, always faithful love for his people, for his mob. It is the love that committed to the future of all creation (Gen.3:15), through one family (Abraham, Gen.12:1-3), out of whom came one nation who would represent God to the world (Ex.19:1-8).

God's love is thoroughly consistent and undeniable in its steadfastness. God's love is the choosing love - choosing not to ignore or reject his broken world as it rebels in sin, choosing a rebellious man who was worshipping idols when God called him (Abraham), choosing to commit to his people as the object of his singular love. The imagery of marriage is used throughout the word of God to capture this commitment is so appropriate - and it captures the goodness of such committed love.

That love is doubted by God's people - there in vs.2: " But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "

In their situation, returned to land that was promised but which is under foreign occupation, returning to a land where life is hard and everything that was once glorious is now minimised, returning to a land where the meories are old but the hardship is fresh, God's mob doubt his love. Where is God's love in all this?

Does that sound familiar?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving your creation, and your mob. Forgive me for doubting such love, for neglecting such love, for not grasping the enormity of such love in daily events. Amen.
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Random thoughts
I apologise for two days with no posts!

Today, have a read of Psalm 19...

First, notice what creation 'proclaims' about God...

Second, notice the shift in the names used for God (between verses 1-6, and then 7-11)...

Third, ask yourself, 'How IS Jesus this Psalm?' (Luke 24:44-48)...

And, fourth, do you sing this Psalm, because Jesus IS this Psalm?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for creation, but thank you most for your words, and their revelation and restoration. Amen.
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