Calves Jump with Abandon

Talk about vivid pictures.... Malachi 4.

1"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.

Ever seen a grass fire? Ever seen how well it consumes dry grass until there is nothing left? It burns everything dry just right up. Dad used to burn the grass on the side of the lane way, making room for the new grass to come up. So when I read these words I have that picture in my mind... all this old grass just blocking the sun and rain from the ground underneath, burn it away and so soon afterwards you have new life growing right through all that blackness and stubble.

Or seen calves or even cows when they are let out on grass after being cooped up in the barn all winter? I still remember my dad calling us all out to watch, having to make sure in their excitement that none of them ran through the fences. Kicking up their heels, bawling in their joy and excitement of being OUTSIDE!!!! They are free!!!!

I can just see it now. God releasing his people from their imprisonment... his people leaping out and destroying the enemies of God. Trampling them under feet because we are just so happy to be free again!

But God reminds his people

4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

We too, living in New Testament times, do well to remember that law of Moses. It shows us how very much we need God. And that is always a good thing to keep foremost in our brains.

And he promises to help his people:

5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

God has given us his word. It helps us to know God, to prepare for the day when we will be released to jump with the abandon of calves just released from the barn. Ah...that day is coming folks...it really is! :)