In Week 2 of Advent, we focus on peace, which is often imagined as the absence of disorder (’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse). As such, the idea of peace in chaos may seem impossible and many in Malachi’s day would agree. Seeing chaos all around, the evil prospering and going unpunished, they had given up on God and their worship lacked authenticity. Was God even there? Knowing their hearts, God speaks, “return to me, and I will return to you…bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…and I will…pour out so much blessing…” Like Malachi’s hearers, many are somewhat cynical of these statements. How often have we “given everything” and not prospered, while the greedy succeed? In the midst of a world that grows divided and chaotic, how do we return to God, bring our full tithe, and experience his blessing (peace) in it all?
You can also view the sermon on Facebook with this link: https://fb.watch/2gK18e0WDD/
