Malachi 3:2-4

Malachi 3:2-4 (ESV): “2 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. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.”

The return of the Lord is near. What will He find when He comes? He will set the worship of God in order and restore the fear of God among His people. The Lord is coming. Make straight the way of the Lord!

The Lord has laid out many grievances against the Levites and the people of Judah. They have profaned His temple and altar with their soiled hearts. Their tears are an abomination to Him, for they mourn with a worldly sorrow that does not lead to a changed life. The entire religious system is broken because the people themselves are wicked. Yet God promises that when Jesus returns, He will set all things in order, and true worship will be restored in Jerusalem.

What is your worship like before God? Do you lift a soiled heart to the King of Kings, or a heart that has been washed in the blood? Don’t just go through the motions of worship. Prepare your heart daily for the moments He has ordained for you to walk in. Live in repentance and surrender. Do not honor God with your lips while your heart is far from Him. Repent regularly and come before your holy God with clean hands and a pure heart. That is how He deserves to be worshiped.

Father, thank You for exhorting us to worship in purity. Your Son is the Way. Keep us washed and cleansed in the wonder-working power of His blood. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.