Knowing God In Malachi 3 (Jun18)

God who is Refiner & Purifier

Years after the restoration from
exile, the spiritual condition of
God’s people has deteriorated.
Again they have lapsed into the
same sins that brought about
captivity. They tithe sporadically,
ignore the Sabbath and intermarry
with unbelievers. Their hearts
have grown hard and their love
for God has grown cold, yet
Malachi comes to remind the
people of God’s love for them.
Malachi’s final warning about
the purifying Day of the Lord
marks the close of the OT period
which is followed by 400 years
of silence in the biblical record.

Lord, Purify My Heart:
Who can endure the day of
His coming? And who can
stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire…
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier
of silver; He will purify the sons
of Levi, and purge them as gold
and silver, That they may offer
to the Lord an offering in
righteousness (Malachi 3:2-3).
And I will come near you for judgment… because they do not
fear Me, says the Lord of hosts.
For I am the Lord, I do not change…
You have gone away from My
ordinances and have not kept them.
Return to Me and I will return to you,
says the Lord of hosts (v5-7).

Lord, Your holy fire burns within
and purges every secret sin.
Your life in me ignites the fire
that fulfils my heart’s desire.
The Spirit’s work, my life made new
transformed within, ablaze with You.
A heart like Yours, my one desire:
Do Your work, Refiner’s Fire.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, help me to remember
that I can rest in the truth
that You control all things.
You Lord never changes; for
You are in essence the same yesterday, today and forever.
When my life is like in a whirlwind,
and I begin to lose my bearing,
give me Lord the needed wisdom
so that I can anchor myself to
Your unchanging character. Amen.

Lord, Purify my heart
Let me be as gold & precious silver.
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will. Amen.