The Refiner’s Fire
Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the Scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] verse. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
One lady’s opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the Grace of God. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, asked to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.
“But sir” she said, “do you sit while the work of refining is going on?” “Oh, yes madam,” replied the silversmith; “I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.”
The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort to, of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His Wisdom and Love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do NOT come at random; “the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had still further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying is complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.
See also: Job chapters 1 & 2, Rom 5v1-5, 8v26-39, 1Cor 10v13, Heb 2v10-18, 4v15,7v25, 12v1-13, James 1v2-4,12, 5v11, 1John 4v8,16
Yahweh Shalom…