Echoes of refining

Malachi 3:3

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,

that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

The process of refining is fascinating. But what's even more fascinating is when you apply it here. You see the silver is placed in a fire so that all the impurities are melted off. But while this process is happening the silversmith never leaves the silver. He watches is and knows exactly when the silver has been in the fire long enough. He is diligent in his task and he knows how much heat the silver can take before it is burned. And he always knows when he is done because he can see his reflection in the silver. And even more so when God refines us he will never leave us in the fires of affliction without intently watching over us to be sure that we are not burned or injured. It says in first Corinthians that God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to be bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Think of Job and how many trials he had to face, how many fires were in his life. But then think of what happened afterward, he now had a story to tell, and evidence of God's faithfulness. 

Isaiah 48:10

Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver;

I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

The lord is and will refine us. But he deems us much more precious than silver. And so he will not refine us with silver, he will not refine us in the same way. But rather with the pressure and heat of afflictions. This world can be hard, and can put pressure on us far more than any height or depth could. It can sometimes feel as if the weight of this world is crushing down on you squeezing out everything you have left. But remember two things. The right amount of pressure can turn a piece of coal into a diamond. And when this world seems to be squeezing out everything, remember that God uses empty vessels to do amazing things. 

This world can sometimes seem hotter than a furnace. The fires of affliction burn all around us and it seems like we have been tossed into the same furnace that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into. But again remember two things. The lord delivered them from the furnace without a scratch. And that God used that furnace to change the heart of a wicked man. 

So when the pressure and heat of this life threaten to overwhelm you. Remember that the lord is with you in the fire, and that he is holding most of the pressure. 

Philippians 3:21

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

The ultimate goal of Christianity is to be conformed to the image of Christ. So God uses the fires of affliction to burn off the impurities, to burn off everything that is holding us back from the joy of being like his son. He puts us in situation to push us out of our comfort zone, why? So that if that situation comes up again we will know how to face it with a godly, Christlike attitude. He puts us in situation to stretch us and brings us to the point where we feel we can't go on, why? So that we can learn to rely on his almighty strength, rather than ours. So we can learn how to give our burdens to him to bear, rather than crushing ourselves with the weight of our lives. 

He puts us through all this so that his face can shine through us, so that his likeness can be made apparent in our deeds and words. The fires of this life are not to punish us but rather to make us pure enough so that his face can be seen through us. But, even though he is refining us, we must learn to reflect him. But how, how do we learn to reflect him? How did Moses reflect him? When Moses came down from the mount after spending time with God his face shown with the likeness of God's glory. Because he spent time with God. He basked in the light of God's presence, drank in the glory of his countenance. And God allowed him for a a time to take on the likeness oh his glory. How much more should we, the chosen of God, his children, bask in the glory of the one who saved us. We have access to the glory of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. Access that the Jews of that time would've done anything to have. Yet how much time do we actually spend drinking in his presence. He is the living water, but water that is not drunk is useless to us. So drink him in. Allow him to refine you. Cause trust me, it's much easier if you allow him to. 

Hear the echoes of his refining, and know that the fire is only temporary and that one day he will take you out, and all will see his likeness in you. 

Psalms 22:24

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;

neither hath he hid his face from him;

but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Sorry these are late again. It's been another crazy week. 

What single blessing from God did you seek most earnestly last year?

What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

Psalms 24:5

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord,

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

In what area of your life do you most need growth?

What will you do about it this year? 

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

What's the most important trip you took last year?

What's the most important trip you want to take this year? 

Deuteronomy 1:33 

"who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go." 

 

What skill did you leave last year?

What skill do you want to learn most this year? 

Deuteronomy 30:9 "Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors,"

To what need or ministry did you give an unprecedented amount last year? 

To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

What's the single most important thing you did to improve the quality your commute last year?

What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year? 

Proverbs 3:6

In everything you do out God first, and he will direct your paths and crown your efforts with success. 

What on biblical concept do you want to understand better? 

What will you do about it this year? 

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.