We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Guide which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons! We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors. Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?
Printable Version

Day 1 – The Dispute

Read Malachi 2:17-3:5 to familiarize yourself with this passage.

  • In verse 17 the next accusation God has against His people is introduced: they have wearied Him with their words. What do you think it means to “weary” the Lord? Can God get tired? (Read Isaiah 1:14 and 7:13 for more insight.)
  • What are the “words” the people have been saying that have wearied the Lord?
    • What are they accusing God of?
    • How do these statements portray a false view of God?

 

Pray in confession and supplication today if you have wearied God with false accusations. Ask Him to give you humility and trust as you seek to honour Him faithfully. 

 

Day 2 – The Lord will Come

Read Malachi 2:17-3:2. 

  • The people have asked “Where is the God of justice?” and how does God respond? 
    • Who is coming? (two people are mentioned)
    • What is the role of the messenger? 
    • How is the Lord described? 
    • According to Malachi, what is the “day of his coming” going to be like? 
      • What are the two images used  in verse 2 to describe what the Lord will be like? What do they convey about His purpose when He comes? 

 

Pray in humility and confession today. Do you need to be refined? Do you need the launderer’s soap to wash you clean? Confess those things to the Lord today.

 

Day 3 – The Refiner and Purifier

Read Malachi 3:2-4. 

  • Notice the imagery used in these verses. 
    • How is the Lord’s role different in verse 3 from verse 2?
    • Who is being purified? And what are they compared to? 
      • What does this tell you about how God views the Levites? 
      • How does this contrast to how God was addressing the Levites/priests in Malachi 2:1-3?
  • What is the result of God’s purifying work according to verse 3b and 4?
    • How does this contrast to the problem address in Malachi 1:7-10?

 

Pray in supplication today as you present yourself and your life to the Lord as an offering. Ask how you can be an acceptable sacrifice to bring glory to His name. 

 

Day 4 – The Trial

Read Malachi 2:17 and 3:5. 

  • The people accused God of allowing the evil to flourish and not acting in justice. But what does God promise to do in verse 5? 
    • What kind of people will be put on trial and testified against? 
    • What people is the Lord concerned with defending and taking care of?
    • What does this tell you about God?
  • Reflect: God knows what is going on in the world and in the midst of His people. How does the reality of God as a judge challenge or encourage you today?

 

Pray in confession today as you confess the injustices you may have committed against others, knowing that God cares deeply for them and is also faithful and willing to forgive you. 

 

Day 5 – Fear the Lord Almighty

Read Malachi 3:5. 

  • The list of people on trial ends with the climax that these people do not fear God. What does it mean to fear God? 
    • Read Deuteronomy 10:12-22. 
      • What do these verses reveal about the power of God?
      • What do these verses reveal about the love of God? 
      • What do these verses reveal about what it means to fear God? How does fear affect obedience?
    • In the context of Malachi, what is the evidence that the people do not have a proper fear of God? 

 

Pray today in adoration of our great and awesome God. Ask that you would have proper reverence of the Lord Almighty and not treat the Judge of all the earth lightly!