A Word from Malachi 3

Do you ever wish that God’s presence would come to you and fill your life more completely? I know I do! And yet, today’s word from Malachi 3 invites us to think deeply about what happens when God’s presence comes.

The prophet, you see, was writing to people who were eager for God to reveal Himself. And the prophet assured them that God would do exactly that: “The Lord whom you’re seeking will suddenly come to His Temple,” the prophet said. “But,” he cautioned, “who’ll be able to endure it when He comes? For He’ll be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He’ll purify His servants (the Levites), refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.” (3:1-3)

Of course, one of our challenges, I think, is that when we think about what it means for God to purify us, we think primarily about issues of personal holiness. And while those are definitely important, we need to remember that this passage—and so many others—call us to social holiness, too. “’I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages,” the passage continues, “who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice…’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (3:5)

Then again, you might point out: This is the Old Testament, and we live under a new covenant, in which we don’t need to fear judgment, because we’ve been saved by the grace of Christ. And while that’s true, I think it’s also true—as I’ve told you before—that Jesus loves us enough to accept us as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us as we are.

So, if God came to you (and God came to us) today…what do you think would need refining in our lives, both individually and corporately?

May we live in a manner that will make us ready when He comes. Amen.