8-4-07 Malachi 3:3

Malachi 3:3 (NAS)
And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

Malachi 3:3 (NRSV)
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.

The Lord God has made His abode with you. He lives and dwells in you because He has chosen you for His very own. However, before He could come to stay and remain with you, He had to change you. He had to make you worthy to receive His presence.

He, therefore, tests and purifies you. Like a smelter and goldsmith, Adonai works with you to make you clean and pure. He has longed for you from the very foundation of the world; you are as precious to Him as silver. He has brought you into His family, adopting you as a son. He has made you into a great champion.

He has called you to serve Him, as the Levites served Him in the tabernacle. Like those priests, you are privileged to stand in His presence and to offer your sacrifices unto Him. He has joined you to Himself, bestowing on you His brilliance and His splendor. You shine like the purest gold and silver, for He has purged you, straining out every impurity.

So now you can draw near to Him in confidence. You have an intimate relationship with Jehovah, just like a Father and son. You, therefore, from your heart of love and gratitude, bring the Lord gifts and offerings. The tribute you give Him stems from your new righteous nature--the nature that you received from Him through His grace and mercy. You are blessed as His son; You are doubly blessed to be His minister. Rejoice that He has chosen you, trusting you with both positions!