Malachi 3:3

New Living Translation

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.

For Encouragement

There is a story about a verse that puzzled some women in a Bible study. They wondered what this statement in Malachi 3:3 meant about the character and nature of God.

One woman in the group called a silversmith that week and made an appointment to watch him at work. She only revealed her curiosity about refining silver. She said nothing about their challenge in the Bible Study.

She watched the silversmith hold a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat. The man explained that in refining silver, one has to keep the silver in the hottest spot of the fire until it burns away all the impurities.

The image of God holding us in the hottest situations in life struck the woman. She thought about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Malachi 3:3). Instinctively, she asked the silversmith, “How long do you have to sit in front of the fire, holding the silver in that position?”

“Not only do I have to sit there holding the silver. I have to keep my eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire because if I left the silver in that hot spot a moment too long, I would ruin it.”

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver gets fully refined?”

He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy—when I see my image in it.”

The heat of the fire of adversity, trials, and temptation may have become too hot for you, and you want to get away from it. You may have cried out to God day and night. Remember this verse in Malachi about the purification of the Levites (Malachi 3:3). That is where God has you now.

Like silver in His hands, God is refining you for His glory. He has not left you in the fire to burn away. He has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you—the likeness of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:13).

Your holiness is His goal.