Lord Jesus, the refining fire of our souls, we long for your appearance, but give us strength to endure what will come about when you make yourself known, that we would be able to stand as you purify our hearts and endure the harshness of being made clean before you so that we might finally stand before you in righteousness, ready to be with you always, through you who sits enthroned with the Father and Holy Spirit in majesty. Amen. ‘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.’ – Malachi 3:1-3
Matthew R Green
PhD