‘For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, …’. Malachi: 3: 2-3.

A group of women who were studying this verse in their Bible study group decided among themselves that on their way back home they would stop at the goldsmith’s and watch the smelting and purifying process at the workshop. Going in there, they saw a man purifying a white lump of metal. They observed him carefully and intently. First, he kept washing a piece of silver with soap and water.

‘Oh! So this is how purifying is done?’, they asked. 

 
But then they saw him pick up the silver with a pair of tongs, place it in the fire and then blow on it for a long time. One of the women asked him, “Why do you keep the silver in the fire?”.
He replied, ‘Only if I keep it in the fire for that long will it get completely purified’. And the next question followed: ‘Will the fire not burn it into ashes’? The man replied: “I will not allow the fire to burn it into ashes, because I will not move or budge an inch away from the silver, nor take my eyes off the metal all the while it is in the fire. With these tongs my hands will be firmly clasping the piece of silver”. 

 
The youngest in the group softly asked, “So then, when will this process end?”
Smiling lightly the man replied, “When my face is clearly reflected in the piece of silver, then the process of refining will come to an end”. 

At that point, all the Word they had read and studied until that day flashed through their hearts.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; …” Romans 8: 28 - 29

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3 :18

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1: 4

Thus, in that gold and silver workshop the women received the answer to many of their questions in life. You, dear reader, you too would have received answers to your questions in life.

It is quite possible that as the women walked back home their hearts would have been singing these lines …

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold, Lord
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Lord, purify my heart too … completely like gold and silver. Lord, may Your refining fire sanctify us, set us apart for You, to do Your will always. Hallelujah, thank You Lord, praise You my Lord!!