I Will Send You A Heads Up!

Malachi 4:5
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

A heads up is a friendly warning or notice that ensures you are not caught off guard. Road signs can serve as a heads up. Road signs warn you that it is about to get steep. Road signs warn you that the area ahead has animals, wind children, or whatever else you need to be careful about. A heads up calls your attention to what is coming next. A heads up asks you to focus and prepare for what is next. If you are waiting to watch a game and then you fall deeply asleep, a friend will send you a heads up when the game is about to begin. A heads up asks us to be attentive and to prepare for what is next. I will send you a heads up!

Malachi wrote about the coming judgment. He is the last writer of the Old Testament. After Malachi, there is a long period of silence. There is no prophetic activity and it seems God is quite. Before that period of silence comes, God speaks through Malachi and tells us that even though there will be silence, nothing will catch His people off guard. God promises to send prophet Elijah before disaster comes. I will send you a heads up!

Elijah the Tishbite was a unique prophet in Israel. He was bold, courageous, and speaking straight. Elijah warned king Ahab that because of sin in Israel there will be no rain for three and a half years. Before disaster Elijah warned. After three and a half years Elijah announced a meeting at mount Carmel where people had to decide who to serve between God and the idol Baal. Elijah was faithful in warning everyone of what was coming before it came. Elijah gave a heads up to the nation of Israel. I will send you a heads up!

Elijah was taken to heaven by a fiery chariot. Many years later, through Malachi, God promises to send Elijah again before God brings disaster upon sinners. This Elijah promised by Malachi is not the same Elijah that went to heaven. The Elijah here is symbolic of a ministry that will serve as a warning to people at any time in history. John the Baptist was identified as Elijah by Jesus. John in humility refused to be called Elijah, but he was Elijah. John the Baptist came to warn people that they need to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. John the Baptist was the Elijah of his time. John the Baptist gave people a heads up that the Messiah is here. I will send you a heads up!

In Malachi chapter 4 God promises to totally obliterate sinners. But before God brings such a disaster, he has promised to give everyone a heads up symbolized by Elijah. That means before the worst happens to us because of our sins, God will give a final warning. The warning will be bold, clear, and urgent. That is the Elijah that will be sent. That is the heads up. It will come at a personal level and at the community level. God is so gracious that He will send us a heads up before we die of our own foolishness. The reason for the heads up is that perhaps we may accept His salvation offer and avoid the disaster caused by our own poor choices. I will send you a heads up!

Before you die of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse habits, God will send you a heads up to quit. Before your friends mislead you to a path that will be addictive and hopeless, God will send you a heads up to change your friends. Before your habits and arrogance push people away permanently from you and your social life becomes a mess, God will send you a heads up. Before your sins separate you from God and a godless life sends you to a downward spiral, God will send you a heads up. Before you marry or get married to a person who will make your life hell on earth, God will send you a heads up that we normally call red flags. I will send you a heads up!

In every aspect of life, God sends a heads up to ensure we are keen on what is coming and we do not suffer loss. Unfortunately, many people ignore the heads up that God sends. God has promised to send us a heads up even before the end of the world so that we can make choices that will lead to eternal life instead of eternal destruction. Some of us have already received a heads up in the past. Some of us are getting the heads up today. many others will get the heads up in the near future. Getting the heads up is one thing and taking heed is another. I pray that we will get the heads up and take heed. The promise is certain but our response is uncertain. I will send you a heads up!

Dear God send me a heads up in my spiritual life so that I live to your glory and inherit eternal life. Send me a heads up in my social life, my financial life, my physical health life, and my mental life too. Help me not to miss the heads up and above all else that I will respond to it appropriately and make the requisite changes. Send me the heads up and help me respond appropriately, in Jesus’ name, Amen!