Malachi 3:3 says: He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched 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.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked 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.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Isn't that so cool?! I began to think about the journey I have been on with God over the past year. I have asked Him many times "Why?", "Show me just a glimpse of your purpose in this.","I don't understand." I had asked God a number of years ago to not reveal certain issues to me unless it could bring Him glory. He has now walked me straight into those issues and then seemed to have been silent as to the purpose. As I thought about the story and verse above as well as my situation, along with my heart's desire to be like Christ, I realized "What greater glory could I see in this situation, than a relfection of God in me?" I may not be out of the fire yet, but I know that His eyes are always intently upon me and that His desire is purity and refinement so that it is clear His relfection can be seen.
No comments:
Post a Comment