The Sun Will Rise

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026

Today in Church History: On July 26, 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England (the "Union of the Crowns"). As a Protestant monarch and head of the Church of England (formerly the head of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland), his reign included the commissioning of the King James Bible published in 1611.

Readings: Malachi 3-4 | Psalm 24

This is it! Our last day in the Old Testament. Thousands of years of human history, pointing to the victory of the New Covenant in which we now live and move and have our being.

The Old Testament’s closing chapters end with a final and familiar promise. Malachi 3 introduces “the messenger of the covenant” who will refine God’s people “like gold and silver” (3:1-3). It’s a purifying, not punishing refinement. Then Malachi 4 delivers the prompt of anticipation: “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (4:2). The very last word of the Hebrew Bible is a sunrise promise that sets up four centuries of prophetic silence before Jesus, “the light of the world,” finally steps into history.

Malachi even names the forerunner: Elijah, sent “before the great and awesome day of the Lord” (4:5), which the Gospels identify as John the Baptist. The whole Old Testament closes with focus on an advent that’s soon coming.

Psalm 24 asks the perfect companion question: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” (24:3). The answer: those with clean hands and a pure heart. “Lift up your heads, O gates… that the King of glory may come in” (24:7). This is the invitation still open to everyone.

Devotional Prompts:

What does it mean to you that even God’s refining work is aimed at healing, not harm?
How does the image of a “sunrise with healing in its wings” speak into a dark or waiting season you’re in?
In what way do you need to “lift up your head” today and let the King of glory in?

Prayer: Sun of Righteousness, rise over whatever feels shadowed in my life today. Refine what needs purifying, heal what needs mending, and find in me gates lifted wide open to receive You as King. Amen.