REFINER’S FIRE

While watching the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. I thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then thought about the verses that says:

He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” –Malachi 3:3

Asking the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep His eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

After a silent moment, I asked the silversmith, How do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at me and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s when I see my image in it.”

His Image

Being refined is not comfortable, it’s not easy and it can be painfully isolating but it’s so necessary if we want to reflect Jesus’ image.

For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Then you brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” –Psalm 66:10-12

There are many ways that we can perceive and react to trials. We can blame the enemy and blame others. However, many times they are allowed as a God setup. They are part of God’s process to purify us. In order to go to the next level, we must allow Him to take us through the refiner’s fire.

Let’s Pray:

“Lord, I want to become like you and who you’ve created me to be. Refine me, purify my heart and captivate my thoughts. I am yours to do as you will in my life. Amen.”