Cows

Yep. That’s right. We’re talking Cows. Fat cows, crated cows and free cows. So here goes….

But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

Malachi 4v2

The first thing to do is look at the context, and then I’ll show you how cows show us the way to go!

God is warning of a day of judgement coming on a society where sin has free reign. The initial application of the book of Malachi was to Israel. Sometimes prophecy in the bible is not limited just to the initial coming event it speaks about, but has a second fulfilment later in time for a different or wider group of people. Also we sometimes find a prophecy that starts by speaking to one situation that will come to pass in the near future, and then the prophecy moves straight into talking about what will happen in the far distant future. Malachi is prophesying to the Israel of his day, about 400BC, but mingled in are prophecies about Jesus who is yet to come. So in chapter 4 v 2, he talks about the day when Jesus, the one who radiates righteousness and healing will appear.

Ok, that’s the background, now let’s talk about cows.

On that day, when Jesus walks the earth, “you will go free, a bit like cows let out to pasture…..

Does that remind you of Acts chapter 2 and following? As they scoot off into the distance the phrase “Jerusalem, Samaria and the ends of the earth” come to mind. This is how we should be! This is how church should be.

At the moment, Oct 2020, there is still a sense of national confinement (think cows in the barn all winter) but actually the day of release is coming. I believe that we are going to see a great move of God in this country, and we need to be ready to burst out into all that God will do, just as the wintered cows burst into the open field.

On the morning of release, the cows are pressing up to the gate….ready for the off. A prisoner due to be released does not put on his prison uniform and go back to bed after breakfast. He is in his civilian clothes, pacing his cell waiting for the door to be unlocked for the last time as he walks to freedom.

So here’s some questions:

• Are we preparing ourselves – ready for the off like the over wintered cows?
• Or are we going to be like the fat cow – over fed, too comfortable as we are, long past being able to move nimbly as Holy Spirit leads? Now is the time to shake off our lethargy and love for comfort, and get ready.
• Are we in any way like the caged cow, trapped by circumstance, unforgiveness, wrong habits and unable to move? Jesus came to set all captives free. Do we want to be free.
• Are we ready to seize the opportunities that will come our way?

We have a nation of people, many of whom have been terrified by threats from the media of imminent doom; young people whose lives have been severely dislocated and for many, their life chances have been impaired. We have the working class and the poor who have borne the brunt of recent measures and will continue to do so for many years to come. Many people are facing unemployment, loss of home in some cases and for some, financial ruin. We have many many people who have perhaps for the first time considered mortality. Normal social life is in tatters and there is a spirit of division in our society, depression and suicide have increased frighteningly. So much for Satan’s handiwork.

I read this the other day, by Frank Viola: “Satan’s kingdom is ruled by tyranny, fear, control, deception and an appeal to self-preservation. By contrast God’s kingdom is governed by two things: God’s glory and absolute freedom.”

The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

Romans 8v19

This nation I believe is ready for a true revelation of what the Kingdom of God is like; millions of people falling in love with Jesus, their lives changed radically. Out of that Jesus will build His church – one church with one Head – and towns, cities and villages will be transformed. That’s how the Kingdom works. That’s what we are here for.

Very soon God is going to open the gate and release us from our confinement, just like the cows from the barn. Are we ready…… This is our time