Today's Scripture:

Malachi 3:1-4 "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
Malachi speaks of a messenger sent to prepare the way, and John the Baptist fulfilled this role, declaring, “I am the one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord.” The long-awaited one of Israel will enter His temple, but anticipation turns to apprehension, for His arrival will bring a refining process. Just as the refiner puts gold and silver in the flame to burn off the dross, God has to refine and purify his people. He removes what doesn't belong so we will begin to look like Jesus. A silversmith purifies silver by holding it over the fire. The heat burns away the impurities, making the silver pure. But here’s the important part—the silversmith never leaves the silver alone. This reminds me of the story of the silversmith when asked if he must be present when the refining process is going on he replies, “Yes, I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." When asked when he knew when the process is complete, he responded, “Why, that is quite simple. When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished. God allows us to experience hardships, difficulties, and other furnace like situations. Just as a silversmith purifies silver, God refines us through these challenges, burning away impurities like selfishness, fear, or doubt.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
After earning my MDiv, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about where God would call me next. I had already retired my nursing license, knowing that if I kept it, I might fall back on it instead of stepping into the unknown. So, I looked ahead with hope. But June passed—no opportunities. I wasn’t too worried; I had savings to sustain me for a while. Then July came and went—still nothing. Anxiety started creeping in. I caught myself looking back at my nursing career, tempted to return, but deep down, I knew that wasn’t where God was leading me. By mid-August, frustration boiled over. I found myself kicking the dirt, raising my hands to God in despair. I laid it all out before Him—the sacrifices I had made, the debt I had taken on, the uncertainty that consumed me. Had I even heard God correctly? Was I completely off track? I felt lost, alone, and directionless. But in the middle of my doubts and complaints, I realized something: God had been with me the entire time. He was walking me through a refining fire—not to abandon me, but to teach me trust and dependence on His sovereignty. And in the end, I would come out stronger, fully relying on Him. Several weeks later, I received a call inviting me to apply at Grace. God had already prepared the path and made the way—I just needed a little more refining before He called me here. I wish I could say that was the last time I went through the refining process, but I know it isn’t. As a sinful follower of Christ, I am still being shaped, still learning, still striving to look more like Jesus. And the truth is, we all must go through refining if we want to be transformed into His likeness.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
God doesn’t abandon us in the fire—He stays with us, watching, shaping, and refining until His image is reflected in us. Lent is a time to come before the Lord, inviting Him to remove anything in our hearts that fails to reflect the love and forgiveness of Christ. Ask God to reveal what needs to change in your life. Spend time in prayer and confession – this is an act of worship – this is where transformation takes place.

About Denise Phelps:
Most of my family - my aunts, cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews, kids, and five grandkids—live close by. My youngest lives in Austin but visits once a month to spend time with my parents and the rest of the crew. I’m so thankful for my fun, wacky, and loving family!
I have now enjoyed the fellowship and ministry at Grace for over 11 years. I graduated with my MDiv in May of 2013 and began my new calling at Grace in September of that year. Throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in various areas of ministry, but I truly love where God has placed me now—as the Pastor of Caring Ministry.