For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. (Malachi 3:2-3)

FIRE! FIRE!

Those words can strike fear in any heart…especially if you’re inside a crowded hotel on the 11^th Floor.

We have seen enough of the destruction that can be caused by fire to property and the loss of lives that could result that our first response is to run away from it.

Evidence of the destructive nature of fire is found in the pages of the Bible as well, especially when it brought down the wrath of God upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Even Jesus spoke about how the chaff would be burnt. (Matthew 3:12)

There is also a kind of fire that is a sign of God’s approval. Usually this fire fell on sacrifices (as in Genesis 15:17). Of course, who can forget that famous incident when Elijah called upon the God who answers by fire (I Kings 18:24)? Sure enough, the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! (v. 38)

In our key passage from Malachi, there is yet another reference to another purpose for the fire of God. This fire also destroys, but it purifies a person in the process.

The impurities that are found in metals such as gold and silver cannot be removed in any other way. They need to be subjected to the flaming heat of fire.

This is not a pleasant prospect for the priests of God who are meant to be refined by His purifying fire.

Just in case you are tempted to believe that this only applies to a certain cadre of God’s people known as the priests, let me sober you up by pointing out that in the Church Era all of y’all, including those of us set apart for service in the “temple” are all part of the royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9).

In other words, you are a priest as well. You and I both need to be refined by this fire.

We need not fear this fire or run away from it when God applies heat to us, but indeed need to learn how to welcome its warm embrace.

After all, we are the bride of Christ that He is coming for, a body “without spot or wrinkle or blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). Do we not need to be as pure as we possibly can?

Could Jesus be sending us fire so we may allow it to burn up every sin and offense from our system? Is there any jealousy, hurt, grief, disappointment, anger, bitterness, sorrow caused by betrayal that needs to be burnt up in you?

What else does the fire of God need to remove from you so you can be as pure gold, refined by the fire?

Dear DWOD reader, will you welcome fire today so you can advance into your destiny tomorrow? I hope so.