PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Malachi 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” (Malachi 3:2)
Malachi describes the coming of the Messiah (3:1) and what he will do (3:5).
Though he comes as judge and with destruction, his goal is to refine and purify.
The Messiah comes to make us the opposite of the sin list in 3:5.
Refiners fire starts with impure gold to make it purer, brighter, more valuable.
Launderer’s soap works with good clothes that have gotten dirty, to restore them.
We are the gold and the clothing that are valued enough to clean and restore.
Jesus is this refining fire and soap, working in me to remove unloving impurities.
The stubble of cruelty, greed, lust, deception, hatred is being burned from my soul.
Instead of dishonouring God and people, my heart is being made for honour.
The Spirit of Jesus is the fire and soap, producing good fruit (goodness) in me.
When I open myself to him, I experience his healing goodness like the sun’s rays (4:2).
I feel the goodness of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. warming my heart.
This is what I want to be, this is what I want to be like – washed in his goodness.
Will I let him remove the unloving in me, will I like him make my ‘very good’ again!
PRAYER
Lord, may the blessing of your goodness continue to burn in me and wash over me to make me like you. I long to feel your healing rays of goodness, and the reflect them as well!
“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.” The Lord, for me the Lord Jesus – heard the words from those who listened and heard the words and took it to heart. I must not withhold my love and devotion. I know it should be full love and devotion, but I know I am compromised as well. Lord help me to give myself fully and not hold back! I desire to honour you fully with my life. Help me to grow and stay devoted to you – and not rob you of the honour that I have the privilege of giving to you!
Robbing God.
In all things I need to put God first, in tithes, in service, in my daily work, in all my living. I am always in His presence. I am not my own but belong to Him and that needs to come to expression by my words and deeds. I need to talk to my Lord always and He listens. He will continue to be my Guide and empower me daily to walk in His SonShine.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.