Scripture
“Look! I am sending my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant whom you look for so eagerly is surely coming” says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

Observation
The Lord will send His messenger to come before the Lord to prepare the way. Then the Lord will suddenly appear in the Temple.

The Lord will be like a blazing fire to refine metal, a bleach to clean clothing. He will purify the Levites so they can once again offer acceptable sacrifices.

Application
John the Baptist saw himself as the messenger preparing the way of the Lord. The Lord certainly came to His Temple.

We don't easily see Jesus as the blazing fire or the strong bleach that purifies. But this is exactly what He is. By winning our hearts with His love, He embarks on a life-long process of cleaning us up.

At times He comes as Comforter, at other times as Exhorter. But always He aims to make us like Him- pure and holy. The aim is to make us into living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Prayer
Lord I recognise that you are changing me day by day. Please help me to co-operate with you in this work. Amen.