“Lord, Purify And Refine Me To Make Me Worthy Of Your Kingdom!”

“Lord, Purify And Refine Me To Make Me Worthy Of Your Kingdom!”
When the results of an examination is published, even those who know they wrote thrash still go to check to see if they have passed.
Waiting for the day of the Lord is like waiting for the day of results to be published.
Through the prophet Isaiah God said “…When you spread your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood…”(1:10-17). God is not here speaking to heathens or unbelievers. He is addressing us who call on his name and claim relationship. Humanity has never changed even as generations come and go.
Why would God accuse those who offer sacrifices that their hands are full of blood? Can there be any sacrifice without bloodied hands?
It is in the same light that in his time prophet Malachi called the priests and people to renew their faithfulness to their covenant with God. Malachi saw laxity and corruption in the life and worship of God’s people.
Ours is not a generation of saints either! We too are seeking the Lord whom we desire to find. In the celebration of the Eucharist we say “Our Lord come. Come Lord Jesus.” Malachi is asking, “But who can endure the day of the Lord? Who can stand when he appears?” The Lord comes like a refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap to refine and purify the Levites (Those people who actually put the people’s sacrifices on the alter of sacrifice)! “Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness..” which “will be acceptable to the Lord, as in the days gone by…”(3:1-4). So to say, there once was a glorious past before priests, Levites and worshippers soiled their hands by bringing offerings in unrighteousness!
Since God does not want us to perish, he sends his messenger to prepare us becsuse the day of the Lord is a day of judgment! On that day all the arrogant and the evildoer will be set on fire, “but for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings…”(4:1-3).
My friend, you are inside the church no doubt, look inwardly to see if you belong to the kingdom! If not, the Lord is asking you to ready yourself for entry into the kingdom!
Prayer: Lord refine and purify me to make me worthy of your kingdom. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!