“But 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.” Malachi 4:2
In context, this passage for the Real Talk series comes at the end of many things. It is at the end of the book of Malachi, the end of the minor prophets, it is an end to this particular way God led his people, it is at the end of our current Old Testament. Though these words mark the end of many things, they describe a future event. One day the Lord would return. He would separate the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats, those who fear His name from those who don’t.
This verse was a hope and a promise repeated for those who knew the Lord and feared his name. Though difficulty and darkness would encompass God’s people, the Lord would keep his promise to act, to remove sin, to heal, and to bring joy as God’s people wait expectantly for His full plan of redemption to unfold. This is important as we approach the passage in James as well.
James 1:2-3
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Who should “count it all joy?”
+ Why is the audience significant?
+ What is your definition of joy as a believer? How might it be different than our culture describes it?
+ What should be “all joy?”
+ What are some examples of trials that Jame’s audience experienced? What kinds of trials are we experiencing today as believers? How are they similar? How are they different?
+ What does James state as something his readers “know?”
+ Can you think of an example to share about a time when your faith was tested recently?
+ Why might steadfastness be important to believers in each generation?
+ How has the testing of your faith resulted in a steadfast spirit?
+ Why might this be important as we wait for the “Day of the Lord” referred to in Malachi?
+ Why might joy be a welcome companion as we wait?
+ How can we leap from the stalls and count it ALL joy in the midst of the trials that surround us daily?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Do I need to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Do I fear His name? Am I a genuine brother who can claim the promise?
+ Where am I stuck in the stall and counting frustrations and limitations rather than joyously leaping?
+ Where would I like the Lord to find me when He returns? Stuck or reminding myself and others of the joy that is mine now and the joy that is promised to come?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who can I/we pray for to be open to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
+ Who might I/we be a witness to this week?