John the Baptist
Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight--indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; 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. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Reflection
As the Refiner sits over the molten gold and silver the dross rises to the top. The refiner continues to skim off the impurities. It's not easy for the Refiner. This is hot work. Fumes rise from the pot of molten metal. But after some length, the Refiner is satisfied. And I think that the point of satisfaction comes when the Refiner begins to see his own reflection in the gold or silver.
Prayer
Lord, continue to skim the impurities and sin from my life that you may see your reflection and my life may bring glory to you. --- Amen
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