The first reading struck me, as it reminded me a story I read a few years before…
For he is like the refiner's fire,
or like the fuller's lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
or like the fuller's lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
The story below helps me understand more the verse. It made me realize that this is God’s way of preparing me, or purifying me. The process may be painful and challenging, but it is comforting and assuring to know that during the entire process, he keeps his eye on me, reminding me of his promise that I will not be given problems more than I can handle. I know he will continue to purify me until he can see his face in me, which makes everything well worth it.
In the gospel, we see how Zechariah’s purification ended. In God’s perfect time, things became better for him. He may have suffered as Elizabeth was pregnant, but true to the first reading, he was purified so he can offer due sacrifice to God. And when he said that the child’s name is John, he spoke blessing God, and holy fear came to their town.
As Christmas comes, may we continue to allow God to prepare us the way he wants to. This may entail pain, but we should just trust in Him, and know that all he wants is the best for us. Even if we feel pain, let us remember that he is holding us the entire time, and he knows exactly what we can handle, he knows when to take us out.. Faith lang =)
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, I thank you for your protection. A lot of times life may be challenging, and I know you are purifying me. And I know the whole time, your eyes are fixed on me, watching me and protecting me, making sure that I will not be subjected to more than what I can handle. May I be faithful as I allow you to purify me as I focus on the end, when you will be able to see your face in me. Amen.
Blessed day!
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Malachi 3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what
this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver
and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to
watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for
her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining
Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the
fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one
needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames
were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she
thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and
purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he
had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was
being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the
silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it
was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the
flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith,
'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what
this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver
and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to
watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for
her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining
Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the
fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one
needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames
were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she
thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and
purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he
had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was
being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the
silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it
was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the
flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith,
'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
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