Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:8-10 KJV
Dross always rises to the top, as ores are heated in a furnace of fire. This separation is necessary in order to bring forth a vessel fit for the finer.
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Proverbs 25:4
A refiner extracts even more dross from the metal, making it more and more pure the more times the refining process is completed. It makes total sense that the Lord would use this illustration in regards to his people.
For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Isaiah 48:9-12 KJV
The process of refinement is a daily process in the life of Christian. If you’re not being constantly refined, are you a child of the Lord? This is a question only you can answer.
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:8-11 KJV
The fiery trial which is to try you is not a strange thing, but in fact a necessary part of purification. Contrary to the popular mantra of, “Jesus loves you just the way you are,” the fact is he purifies those he loves, destroying the works of the devil unto eternal life. How can we walk with the Lord in white if we leave our garments spotted up with sin, and how can we be a vessel fit for the Master’s use, full of dross?
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Revelation 3:4 KJV
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:14 KJV
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11 KJV
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Verses of the Week
And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
2 Samuel 24:22-24 KJV
Gospel cards going out around the La Crosse area. Garbage cans are an awesome spot!
Free pasta from work! (Usually ~$15)
Folks were waving as I flew my signs and cut my hair in a popular frisbee golf park.
Amish man gets some Truth while I was shopping at Walmart.
Interesting how the Lord creates beautifully intricate flowers for his pleasure and glory! He doesn’t need man to appreciate them.
