Shan Dai Advocacy

Malachi

March 23, 2007 on 1:04 pm | In His First Bible, Old Testament, PrayerGrams |

In the time of Malachi, God’s people had given up waiting for a king, and without hope, like a whole nation experiencing a midlife crisis, they sought after carnal desires to satisfy their emptiness. Men took foreign wives seeking excitement; divorce became rampant as covenants and families were broken. Money was no longer given to the causes of the Lord but instead sacrifices were made with blemished animals; going through a ritual as if to fool the Almighty. Even the priests despaired and stopped teaching God’s truth to a nation that desperately needed it. Thankfully, God did not remain silent but again extended His care to a hopeless turned rebellious, self-centered people. How our disheartened hearts long to know belonging and love. It is no different with the Shan Dai. With new found joy and peace young believers were baptized in a small market town in China. Can their hope withstand doubt and discouragement as opposition increases? How will they respond to the village headman who says Dai should not be Christians? Will they give up hope when faced with persecution from their own families? What will keep them truly anchored in the Lord? Father, we all need Your love in our lives, for without You we have no real hope. The arrogant and evil-doers will come to ruin yet Your Word gives us great hope: “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings…” (Malachi 4:2). We pray for new Dai Christians to know You as the Sun of Righteousness, bringing meaning, belonging, healing and love.