There was a group of woman in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3 which says:"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."This verse puzzled the woman and they wondered what this statement means about the character and nature of God. One of the woman offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for the interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the siversmith, 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 so as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...". She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh thats the easy part, when I see my image reflected in it."
Unknown Author
Passed out at the:
Valley Church of Christ
Ladies Retreat 2005
Wasilla, Alaska
2 comments:
Thank you:) I had read this before and was looking for it to share with my friends. I could remember most of it for the Lord had brought it back to me but not in entirety. He'd laid on my heart yesterday "don't paraphrase" and prompted by that word I went to search for it on the web. As the familiar story passed before my eyes it warmed my heart but it was in the part that I could not recall (found herein) upon which dawn broke & wherein the true power lies: He is waiting & watching for His reflection to appear. This is all I've ever wanted to know: will I be made over into His image? Will this make me like Jesus? If I can endure this and get that it will all be worthwhile for in Him, and Him alone is peace & joy:) I want to be like Jesus and I'm not worried anymore. I don't need to be afraid for this I know and am reminded of: His eye is on the sparrow and He's watching over me... sitting as a refiner and a purifier of silver...and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold:) ... and as for my Enemy this much I also know: he who touches me touches the apple of His eye:) Amen! The enemy will let us have our memories, our self confidence and our bits of joy here and there but he will attempt to starve us of the real meat that we cannot live without: God’s Truth. I am being made over into HIS image and I need not fear the flames:) I shall come forth as gold. Amen! Thank You, Jesus!
"He is waiting & watching for His reflection to appear." That says it all, thank you so much for your comment. It comes with great timing as I try to master the skill of loving patience. :)
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