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For both Malachi and Peter, the process of refining metals is a metaphor for how God uses trials to purify us. The raw metal was heated over fire until it melted and impurities rose to the surface. These were skimmed off, leaving the pure metal to reflect the image of the worker. As God purifies you, his reflection in your life will become increasingly clear to those around you.

Malachi 3:1-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7

1.      Does the "blazing fire" nature of the messenger's coming indicate smiting in judgment or shaping through discipline? Do you think it refers to the Messiah's first or second coming, or both?
   
   
2.      What dross (v. 3) do you think might come to the surface if you were subjected to a fiery trial?
   
   
3.       Why was refining an essential prerequisite to service and worship acceptable to God?
   
   
4.     What, according to Peter (1:7) is the up side of trials?
   
   
5.      Why should enduring trials (v. 2) produce joy?
   
   
6.   What is the eternal perspective that the child of God should bear in mind while his faith is being tested?
   
   
7.    Does Malachi 3:1 refer to one messenger (see Matthew 11:10/Luke 7:27) or two? But was Jesus himself also a messenger of the new covenant?
   
   

Ask God for an attitude shift from resisting trials to accepting them as his instruments for producing Christ-likeness in your life.

Malachi 3:1-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7

"Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

2 "But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 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.

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank you, Lord, for receiving me just as I was. But thank you, also, for your insistence on reshaping me for maximum usefulness in your kingdom.

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