But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when he appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire…He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver. And He will purify the sons of Levi…that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
Malachi 3:2-3 [NASB]
I love handbells! I love playing them, teaching them, and listening to them. Last week, one of my ringers in Kidz Bells asked me how the bells were made. I explained to him that handbells are cast of pure bronze—a mixture of 80% copper and 20% tin. After being heated to approximately 2,150° F, the molten metal is poured into sand molds. After the bronze has hardened, the sand is broken away. The raw bell casing is roto-blasted to remove burnt-in molding sand and scale, then sent to the lathe department, where the rotating bell is cut, drilled and endlessly sanded until it is shining spotlessly and perfectly tuned.
The Bible tells us that we humans are in need of a similar refining process. Sin has transformed us into instruments that are rough, stained, and out of tune. Isaiah says that God refines us in the furnace of affliction [Isaiah 48:10]. Zechariah states that God’s people will be tried as gold is tried [Zech.13:9]. Job triumphantly proclaims, “He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I will come forth as gold.” [Job 23:10 NAS] I don’t like to be spiritually cut or drilled, and the constant sanding of my character can be irritating, to say the least! However, God promises me that it will be worth it, and I’m going to hold Him to it!
Pure and holy I would be,
Worthy of Your love for me.
Teach me while Your light is clear;
Change me while my heart is near.
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