Malachi 3:3

" We shall purify the sons of Levi , and purge them as ggold and silver."   If you are now in the fire , dear soul , be of good cheer - it shows at least that you are silver , and that you are capable of performing more acceptable service in God's holy Temple . If it were not so , God would not take so much pains. He chastens those whom He loves , and prunes the branches that are already bearing fruit . What a comfort it is that He surrenders this work to no other hands than His own . He may give His angels charge concerning us when we are in danger ; but He keeps our purification beneath His special superintendence . But notice that He sits . What patience is here !However many years you may have to lie on that couch . He will sit beside you . The nurses go off duty but He never . Love may grow faint and be weary , and nod into light slumbers ; but He never slumbers nor sleeps ; when the pain is most unbearable - reach out the hand  ,you will touch His ; breathe the softest sigh , He will answer "I am here."
And the process will be continued till the scum has passed away , and its rebellion and murmuring , and his face shines , sweelty mirrored in its every outline and lineament . Then the fires will die down , and He will bid thee arise to reap the full reward . God is set on reviving the better , holier past , to which some of revert with tender interest . "It was better with then than now ", we sometimes say . But the tender grace of those days that are dead will come again to the soul , who yields to God's refining . "The offering of Judah and Jerusalem shall be pleasant unto the Lord , as in the days of old ".