“‘And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ says the Lord, “that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “This is My people;” and each one will say,” The Lord is my God.”’” (Zechariah 13:8-9).

You will not find many lukewarm Christians in the middle of the refiner’s fire. The Lord makes Himself available to all His children, but He meets us according to our desire to meet Him. Do we desire to have all that we can of Jesus Christ and His indwelling power? The Lord seeks those whose hearts are truly surrendered to His Divine Will and Purpose. When He finds someone with that kind of heart, He delights in meeting his or her obedience with His purifying fire. “While every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2, NIV). Our God is a consuming fire, and He will permit nothing within us that is inconsistent with His nature. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God … see to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks … for our God is a consuming fire.” ( See Hebrews 12:14-15, 25, 29).

Our God is  a consuming fire, and He will permit nothing within us that is  inconsistent with His nature.

For those of us who say we truly love Him He will show Himself to be a jealous God, pruning here, testing there, afflicting one area, and speaking judgment to another.

Believers who seek Him with all their heart will find Him. But on the journey, they will undoubtedly encounter His purifying fire and His rod of judgment.

Believers, let us seek Him now, so we may be judged in the body and purified while there is still time to radically live for Him. Let us call disobedience what it is and not act as if we are suffering for the will of God. Parents discipline their children, so the children will not be snared in their disobedience. Do you want to be hindered from His best?

“But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3:2-3). Those who desire the Lord’s coming must know that clean hands and a pure heart are required. This is how He desires to meet His Bride. Are you seeking the obedience that leads to purification? Are you enduring gracefully the fire He has in you — like clay in the potter’s hand?

©2005 Masterpiece of the Wilderness, Deanna Deering