In years past when I read the Bible cover to cover, I typically glossed over the prophets' books in the bible. I focused more on the main story lines whenever I previously read the Old Testament. However as I read the book Malachi, I found an unexpected, wonderful surprise when I read Malachi 4:2.

Malachi 4:2 KJV says, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."

This verse alone has so many different layers. One part of the verse is talking to those who fear God's name will receive a blessing. Not those who "play" Christian Sunday mornings and during the rest of the week do their own thing. No, they don't receive God's blessing. Those who fear God will receive the blessing. This is not talking about a terrified fear though. It is talking about a respectful fear, one you would have for a stern professor or parent. If you respect God, you will receive a blessing.

What is that blessing? Well, that is the next part of the verse. When we respect God, "shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." Here, "the Sun of righteousness" is referencing Jesus who at this time in the bible has yet to be born. Malachi prophesizes Jesus' birth and mission hundreds of years before He even was born! How crazy is that? Anyway, Malachi says that Jesus will rise up with healing in His wings. It doesn't say only to certain people or for certain illnesses. It just says if we fear God Jesus will bring healing to us. No hidden fees, no twisting arms, nothing. No matter the circumstance, Jesus will bring healing into our lives.

The last part of the verse can be a little awkward because the similes used in ancient biblical times aren't relatable so much to us. However it can still be impactful if you place yourself in the time that this was written. Malachi says, "And ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Well, what does that mean? Aren't calves usually in stalls? Not exactly. Back then, people didn't always have barns for their animals; only the people who had the money and were settled down for good had stalls. Even today, not every cow or calf lives in stalls inside barns. There are other farm animals (not just cows) that are trained to live outside barns and stalls no matter the weather. Those animals are used to the rain pouring down on them, the snow chilling their bones, and the hail beating on their skin. Doesn't that sound like us sometimes? We fall into valleys during our life that seem like the rain is pouring down on us, the snow chilling us to our bones, and the hail beating our skin. We wonder if there will ever be a stop to the pain we go through outside the barn, but right here in the book of Malachi God is saying that we don't have to live that way anymore. We can run to Him, and we can grow in His love and mercy as if we never lived outside the barn. We can grow in God and faith as if the rain, snow, and hail had never occurred. Why? Because God is good.

I hope this little nugget of the Bible encourages you to live your life in respect for God, have faith that no matter the circumstance Jesus will bring healing into your life, and that no matter what we go through in God we can live in peace and no suffering.