May 21

Malachi 3:2 asks, "Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire."

When Jesus returns, who indeed can endure that day of his coming? Only those who have been refined by the fire of God. That is why you and I go through such fires in this life: God is refining us to holiness, so that we can be ready for that day, for without holiness no one shall see him (Heb. 12:14).

Some of the most sobering words in Scripture are found in Daniel 11:35, where it speaks of those who are wise and yet still stumble will be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end.

But those are not the sobering words to which I refer. For there is nothing overwhelming about stumbling and having God discipline us and refine us afterwards. He is a loving and forgiving God and cares for us. Like a good parent, he turns around and sets us back on our feet.

No, the sobering words are added on at the end of that verse, where it says, "for it (the day of God and his judgment) will still come at the appointed time." In other words, ready or not, the great day of God's judgment will come, whether we have been refined or not.

The day of salvation is now, and it is most unwise to refuse to let God refine us for our own good. For the great day of his judgment will still come whether we are ready for it or not. It is wise to be ready for it by allowing God to refine us in his fire.

Scripture for today: Daniel 11:33-35
Thought for today: It is wise to walk through the fire of God and not refuse it.
Prayer for today: Lord, make me ever aware that my time to be refined by you is limited.

MAY 21