The Eye Of The Storm

     I know that I am not off on what is about to happen - I see it everywhere.  I see it when I open my Bible, it shouts at me from every page.  I see it when I look at the news, I watch Glenn Beck and we keep up with Drudgereport and TheBlaze.  I cannot believe what is happening right before our eyes, and nobody cares.  Nobody is taking notice.  It is crazy.  What I don't know for sure is the time period.  But let me tell you, in the spirit, it feels like the wind has picked up and the first pelts of rain are hitting windows.  It feels like the windows should already be boarded up and we should be hunkering down to weather the storm. 
     I want to first tell you the purpose of this storm.  It always helps when we know why something happens.  The purpose of God's covenant is to bring life and peace, but this requires reverence from us.  We will greatly revere God and stand in awe of His name.  Then we will pass on to the people the truth of the instructions that we receive from Him.  We will not lie or cheat, we will walk with Him, living good and righteous lives, and we will turn many from lives of sin.  (Malachi 2:5-6)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and we really don't fear God much right now, but we will.  The LORD says, "Look!  I am sending My messenger, and He will prepare the way before Me.  Then the LORD you are seeking will suddenly come to His Temple (us).  The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.  But who will be able to endure it when He comes?  Who will be able to stand and face Him when He appears?  For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.  He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross.  He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.  Then once more the LORD will accept the offerings brought to Him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as He did in the past.  (Malachi 3:1-4)
     So the storm that is coming upon the whole earth (Isaiah 24) is coming to test us and to purify us.  Malachi 3:5-6 says, "At that time I will put you on trial.  I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars.  I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreighers living among you of justice, for these people do not fear Me,"  says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.  "I am the LORD, and I do not change.  That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.  Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned My decrees and failed to obey them.  Now return to Me, and I will return to you,"  says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

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