Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Refiner's Fire

The final stage of gold or silver production is called refining. Refining is a verb that means to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance or to improve something by making small changes. Refining by fire is a long and tiedious process, but the final result is a beautiful and pure substance that is sought out by millions.

The process that God uses to refine us is not all that different. Refiner's fire referes to the way the Lord uses pain and strife to mold and shape his children into the beautiful beings that he created. God is our Refiner.

                     Psalm 66:10 says, " For you,, God, tested us; you refined us like silver."

The refiner breakes up the natural core- the hardened rock that encases minerals, but the rock promises to have a valuable core inside.

                    "Is not my word life fire," declares the Lord, "like a hammer that breaks a rock          
                           into pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29

After the refiner painstakingly skims off all the impurities, he turns up the heat in the furnace.  Again and again the impurities rise to the surface and the refiner sees the gold and silver begin to shine until he sees His own reflection.  

But how do we hang on to hope in the midst of our trails, especially when the heat is turned up beyond whhat we think we can bear? Is it worth the pain to have the Refiner do his work in us?  We persevere by pressing into the heart of the One who allowed the trial... trusting in His perfect plan.  Surrendering our will to His will.  

Remember, the pain God allows in your life is for a reason.  The heat is never intended to destroy you, only to mold you and shape you into the image of Christ. As the heat intensifies in your life, know that the Lord will never leave you or forsake you.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." 
Isaiah 43:2







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