“And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:” (Malachi 3:3). In refining silver, the silversmith needs to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The silversmith not only has to sit there holding the silver, but he has to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it is in the fire. If the silver is left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The silversmith knows the silver is fully refined when they see their image in it. He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. God knows when we are fully refined for His good (purpose). ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose’. Romans 8:28 ~ When we are feeling the heat of the fire, we must remember that God has His eye on us and will keep watching us until He sees His image in us.
Furthermore, we need not fear the fiery trials of afflictions and temptations by which the Saviour refines His silver (us). If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and know this! He will rescue us when His work is fulfilled in us, (Phil 1:6). Also, keep in mind that, ‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it’. 1 Cor. 10:13 ~
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply:
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine" ~ John Rippon
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