Refining Fire

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,But the LORD tests the hearts.

Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV)

The heat of trials and hardship to us are like the heat that the goldsmith applies to a lump of gold that he wants to make into a beautiful golden ring. Impurities are not visible, because they are imbedded in the core of that solid form. The goldsmith must hold the gold over the hottest part of the flame. As it melts into a liquid form, the impurities are released and they rise to the surface. This dross then can be skimmed away until the surface is clear. He never takes his eyes off the precious metal lest it stay in the fire too long or not long enough. How does he know that the gold is pure, fully refined? When he looks down and can see his own face reflected.

Can you see how this applies to us? Are you going through something so hard you feel you are melting down? When your child is sick in the hospital, a doctor has just found a lump, or your mom has a stroke, life changes a lot. All of a sudden the silly, frivolous things that used to seem so important just aren’t. Let the dross float to the surface, things like self-reliance, self-pity, selfish ambition, jealousy, and pride.

One of the things we must remember, though, is that this is not punishment. This is the refining fire. God has trusted you to go through this really hard thing, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, NKJV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

How do you gain fresh hope and strength when you’re in the midst of a trial? Read the Psalms. They are songs for your soul. Many were written when David was going through painful circumstances. The Psalms give you words to honestly express your lowest lows. Then they give you words of victory and confidence in God.

Let’s Pray

Lord, please help me surrender to, not fight your work in my life. Help me to see your love and trust your redeeming purpose to make me a vessel fit for the master’s use.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Kings 9:1–10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3