Some
time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the 3rd
chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable statement in the 3rd verse:
"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).
One
lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said
about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling the silversmith
the reason for her visit, begged him to tell her 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 asked, "Sir, do you watch while the work of refining is going
on?"
"Oh,
yes ma'am," replied the silversmith. "I must sit and watch the
furnace
constantly,
for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree,
the silver will be injured."
The
lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the statement, "He shall sit
as
a refiner and purifier of silver." God sees it as necessary to put His
children into the furnace -- but His eye is steadily intent on the work of
purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us.
Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what
we can endure.
Before
she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when
the
process is finished?"
"Oh,
that's quite simple," replied the silversmith . . . "When I can see
my
own
image in the silver, the refining process is complete."
Awesome piece of an analogy to describe the refiners fire.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
Thank you.
Excellent analogy! May we use it in one of our future issues?
ReplyDeleteGod never tests us beyond, what we can endure. Excellent analogy.
ReplyDelete