Refiner's Fire and Launderer's Soap

"See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like washers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness." - Malachi 3:1-3

The two prominent images which spring from this passage are, of a refiner's fire and of launderer's soap. Both are used to clean impurities - one from precious metals and the other from clothing. This striking illustration reminds me that the arrival of the Messiah is not just to make us 'feel' good, but it is also to purify our hearts and to present us 'spotless' before the Father.

As Advent invites us to do some intentional soul-searching, what could these 2 images highlight in our lives? What needs to be cleansed in my soul and life at the moment?

Job 23:10 - "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." 

Living in grace

D3LM3

We can't go back to yesterday

"It is no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." - Lewis Carroll

There is a profound truth in this statement! When one sincerely confesses our sins (of yesterday), and we seek to live in the grace of God today, we need to let go of the past. Sadly, there are many people who keep trying to dredge up the pain of the past, but through God's mercy we can move on into our future. 

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." - Philippians 4:12-13

Thought: What past mistakes keep you from moving forward with freedom?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you do not hold grudges against us. Teach us to let go of our pasts and to trust in your mercy in the future. Amen. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Why even bother with confession?

In reading Nehemiah 9 I noticed how the Israelites took their act of confession seriously. This got me thinking about how we treat the spiritual act of confessing our sins to God. Is there a point? Should we even bother? Then I stumbled upon these insightful words which offer us some guidance.

"TO CONFESS YOUR SINS TO GOD is not to tell God anything God doesn't already know. Until you confess them, however, they are the abyss between you. When you confess them, they become the Golden Gate Bridge." - Frederick Buechner

When we live separate from the Lord we feel the great distance between us and it impacts upon our very being. Confessing our sins creates the bridge over which we can cross to encounter Grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Silence is golden

Silence is Golden!

Why is it that we can often hear God more clearly when we actively seek silence? Is it perhaps that the noise of our own agenda's fade into the distance, or that our daily distractions slowly drown out the voice of God? 

As we move into the last week before Christmas, let us reflect on the 9 months of silence that Zechariah was forced into, and ask how this changed his heart and soul. Remember it was a moment of doubt that caused Gabriel to mute Zechariah's lips and how might those 270 days have shaped his spiritual life forever?

"Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God." - Luke 1:62-64

Even though God had chosen John the Baptist for his unique role as the fore-runner for Jesus, John still needed a wise earthly father to guide and walk alongside him. Is it possible that Zechariahs time of golden silence was crucial in preparing John too?

How might silence help you prepare for Christmas?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Owning up

Very few of us like to own up to our mistakes. We find it easier to blame someone else and to shift the attention away from our short-comings and sins. However, this is only a deception and in the end, it doesn't do us any favours. When we lie to ourselves, we end up breaking our own hearts, as well as those of others around us.

Judah eventually owned up to her sin and cried out to God:
“Lord, see my anguish!
    My heart is broken
and my soul despairs,
    for I have rebelled against you." - Lamentations 1:20

A few verses before the nation was blaming God for all her troubles, but now the people have come to their senses. It must have been hard to uttered the words "I have rebelled against you!" 
I believe that this confession is the beginning point in bringing healing to the broken heart and the soul that despairs.

What do you think?

Living in Grace
D3LM3