August 2

Day 141: Refiner's Fire

Intellectually, we may all agree that we each learn more through trials than we do in easy times. Emotionally, however, none of us are disposed to desire trials or suffering.

Part of this is because our Creator God made us to be self-protective. As children we learn not to touch hot things in the kitchen or the surface of the wood stove. God made us to be somewhat aware of our own bodies. When things are not as they should be, we take note of the warning signs, and we seek a physician's opinion.

But we also know, for example, that believers who have survived cancer will tell us they have a deeper relationship with the Great Physician.

Parents who have prayed for and later saw the restoration of wayward children will tell us how God answered prayer. Any woman who has given birth will tell both of the pain, and then the joy of welcoming their offspring into the world.

While we're disposed to avoid it, our refinement requires the refiner's fire.

Back in the day, when a metallurgist would be ready to refine silver, he would fire up a pot. The silver ore would be put in the pot to melt. The pure silver had weight, and stayed lower in the pot. The dross would float to the surface, to be skimmed away.

This process took time, and several skimmings. The metallurgist would know he had pure product...when he could finally see the reflection of his face in the liquid silver. Like a mirror.

Zechariah 13:8-9 describe the same. Not the purifying of silver, but the purifying of people.

"In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold to be tested. They shall call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The LORD is my God."

The fire? First destruction of Jerusalem and captivity in a far off land. Then raising up new generations. And even the hardships for those allowed to return after the exile.

Our God, the consummate metallurgist, used hardships in the people's lives to redirect and then move them back to Himself.

It's something our loving God does today too, even if the hardships don't appear to be so loving at all. Even if it seems there is no end in sight.

It's something our loving God does today, so His great glory can be seen in the purity of His people, the Church.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau