"And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" Malachi 3:3a
I am amazed at how many hidden gems are at our reach in the pages of the Bible, this verse being just one example. I read it at the beginning of this week, and it stuck in my mind. I decided to do a little research on it and found a mind-blowing lesson that should change the way we think when we go through hardships and rough spots in our lives.
Briefly explained, this is the silver refining process:
Silver is refined by fire at a temperature of 1,764 °F. The refiner has to sit and watch the silver the whole time. If the heating process is exceeds the required amount of time, the silver will be ruined. The refiner knows that the silver is ready to be removed from the oven when he can see his reflection in it.
When I realized the beauty of this Bible verse, I got goosebumps.
We are the silver, and God is our Refiner. He makes us go though fire with the sole purpose of increasing the worth and beauty of our spiritual lives. But He doesn’t just put us in the fire and walk away! He sits and watches over the whole situation. I can almost picture Him sitting on a stool glancing with loving eyes down at us, His silver. I can imagine Him hearing our prayers; feeling our pain like the good Father He is.
We might not see Him, or feel Him for that matter. We are often too afraid of the fire and pain around us to realize that He won’t leave us in the fire a second longer than necessary. He observes the whole process and aches for us until the moment that He can see His own image in us.
God’s only purpose with trials and problems is that, at the end of these situations, we will shine brighter and reflect His image more clearly.
Do not be afraid if you feel like God is putting you in an oven. Find solace in the promise He will be there, sitting and observing through it all. He will not allow you to be ruined. Talk to Him, He’s closer than you think. He is glancing at you with loving eyes, knowing that this is the best for you and for His kingdom.
You will come out shinier, an even more beautiful and valuable instrument in His hands.
Just trust our Refiner.
