Posts Tagged ‘refiner’s fire’

“Refining”: A process of being tested and tried

Posted: March 19, 2013 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, March, Psalms
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Our passage from Deuteronomy mentions “God testing us.” The Bible tells us that a believer is like gold or silver that must be “tried” in a furnace to remove all the impurities in the metal. What is that process of refining silver?

Psalm 66:10 For you, O God, have tested us;  you have tried us as silver is tried.

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;  I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

The story is told of a woman who called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.  As she watched the silversmith, 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 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 that says: “He sits 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 that 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. If the silver was left 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, that’s easy – when I see my image in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

There is a purpose for all that God allows into our lives, including the troubles and suffering.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 Peter 1:6-8 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Malachi 3:2-3 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

Isaiah 1:25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Psalm 66:8-12 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

God has a purpose for all the trials in our lives.  He is purifying us, removing the “dross.”  He is making us more and more like Jesus.  God is perfect in wisdom, in power and He will finish the work He has begun in us!

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

2 Timothy 1:12 But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Tested and purified

Posted: December 1, 2012 by Pam Larson in December, Devotionals/Commentaries, Job
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But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  Job 23:10

Job knows that God can find him anywhere, even when it appeared that he couldn’t find God.  Deep down, Job knows the truth.  The truth has just been obscured by the trials and tribulations of life.  He affirms that God uses these life experiences as a refiner purifies gold.  We, too, are tested and purified as God removes impurities in our lives through trials.

Peter put it this way in I Peter 1:6-9 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.”

God’s Refining Furnace

Posted: November 8, 2012 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, Ezekiel, November
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  As silver is melted in a furnace, so you shall be melted in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the LORD; I have poured out my wrath upon you.” —Ezekiel 22:22 ESV

Comments on Ezekiel 22:17-22 by  Alan Carr, Sermons and Outlines:

TheRefinersFire

Israel is pictured as impure silver.  They have allowed themselves to become mingled with the world, and, as a result, they are no longer pure, but have become worthless and weak.  God is pictured as a refiner of metals. God is determined to rid them of their impurities and to mold them into His image.  Israel is facing the fierce judgment of Almighty God.  You and I also become alloyed, or mingled, with the impurities of the world.  When we do, we also lose our value and are weakened.  However, unlike Israel, our sins have already been judged at Calvary and were forever forgiven at the very moment of salvation.  If that’s the case, then why does it seem that so many of God’s children are in the furnace?  With Israel, it was a matter of Divine judgment.  With us, God is merely trying to see His image. Now, it is no fun at all being down in the furnace of trouble and trial, but God’s furnace can prove to be a wellspring of joy.

As a refiner purifies gold

Posted: December 1, 2011 by Pam Larson in December, Devotionals/Commentaries, Job
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But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  Job 23:10

Job knows that God can find him anywhere, even when it appeared that he couldn’t find God.  Deep down, Job knows the truth.  The truth has just been obscured by the trials and tribulations of life.  He affirms that God uses these life experiences as a refiner purifies gold.  We, too, are tested and purified as God removes impurities in our lives through trials.

Peter put it this way in I Peter 1:6-9 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.”

God, the Refiner

Posted: November 8, 2011 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, Ezekiel, November
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Comments on Ezekiel 22:17-22 by  Alan Carr, Sermons and Outlines:

TheRefinersFire

Israel is pictured as impure silver.  They have allowed themselves to become mingled with the world, and, as a result, they are no longer pure, but have become worthless and weak.  God is pictured as a refiner of metals. God is determined to rid them of their impurities and to mold them into His image.  Israel is facing the fierce judgment of Almighty God.  You and I also become alloyed, or mingled, with the impurities of the world.  When we do, we also lose our value and are weakened.  However, unlike Israel, our sins have already been judged at Calvary and were forever forgiven at the very moment of salvation.  If that’s the case, then why does it seem that so many of God’s children are in the furnace?  With Israel, it was a matter of Divine judgment.  With us, God is merely trying to see His image. Now, it is no fun at all being down in the furnace of trouble and trial, but God’s furnace can prove to be a wellspring of joy.

Kindling or gold?

Posted: August 24, 2011 by Pam Larson in August, Devotionals/Commentaries, Proverbs
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Proverbs 17:3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the Lord tests hearts.

God tests us, tests our hearts.  Repeatedy in the Bible, we read that HE refines us, tests us, just as precious metals are refined to remove impurities.  Read these other passages, and ask yourself what remains after going through the “furnace of affliction.” Gold will become pure.  Silver will become pure.  The rest?  Kindling.

The Refiner's Fire by Lars Justinen (www.larsjustinen.com)

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;  I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Behold, I will refine them and test them,
 for what else can I do, because of my people?

Zechariah 13:9 And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.  For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—  each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

What will God find when you are tested? Kindling or gold?

The Refiner’s Fire

Posted: March 19, 2011 by 4theloveofgod in Devotionals/Commentaries, March, Psalms
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

The Bible tells us that a believer is like gold or silver that must be tried in a furnace to remove all the impurities in the metal. What is that process of refining silver?

Psalm 66:10 For you, O God, have tested us;  you have tried us as silver is tried.

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;  I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

The story is told of a woman who called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.  As she watched the silversmith, 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 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 that says: “He sits 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 that 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. If the silver was left 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, that’s easy – when I see my image in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

There is a purpose for all that God allows into our lives, including the troubles and suffering.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 

1 Peter 1:6-8 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Malachi 3:2-3 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

Isaiah 1:25 I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Psalm 66:8-12 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

God has a purpose for all the trials in our lives.  He is purifying us, removing the “dross.”  He is making us more and more like Jesus.  God is perfect in wisdom, in power and He will finish the work He has begun in us!

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

2 Timothy 1:12 But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Tested by Fire

Posted: December 1, 2010 by Pam Larson in December, Devotionals/Commentaries, Job
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.  Job 23:10

Job knows that God can find him anywhere, even when it appeared that he couldn’t find God.  Deep down, Job knows the truth.  The truth has just been obscured by the trials and tribulations of life.  He affirms that God uses these life experiences as a refiner purifies gold.  We, too, are tested and purified as God removes impurities in our lives through trials.  

 Peter put it this way in I Peter 1:6-9 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.”

The Joy Of Living In God’s Furnace

Posted: November 8, 2010 by Pam Larson in Devotionals/Commentaries, Ezekiel, November
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Comments on Ezekiel 22:17-22 by  Alan Carr, Sermons and Outlines:

TheRefinersFire

The Refiner's Fire by Lars Justinen (www.larsjustinen.com)

Intro:  Israel is pictured as impure silver.  They have allowed themselves to become mingled with the world, and, as a result, they are no longer pure, but have become worthless and weak.  God is pictured as a refiner of metals.  (Ill. The process.)  God is determined to rid them of their impurities and to mold them into His image.  Israel is facing the fierce judgment of Almighty God.  You and I also become alloyed, or mingled, with the impurities of the world.  When we do, we also lose our value and are weakened.  However, unlike Israel, our sins have already been judged at Calvary and were forever forgiven at the very moment of salvation.  If that’s the case, then why does it seem that so many of God’s children are in the furnace?  With Israel, it was a matter of Divine judgment.  With us, God is merely trying to see His image. Now, it is no fun at all being down in the furnace of trouble and trial, but God’s furnace can prove to be a wellspring of joy.  Tonight, I want to preach for a while about “The Joy Of Living In God’s Furnace.”

I.  THE PLACE OF THE FURNACE

    A.  Ill. The metal – impure and worthless until exposed to the heat of the furnace and the breath of the refiner.

    B.  God’s furnace is a place where our impurities are burned away.
1.  The impurity of sin can get you in the furnace – Rev. 3:19; Heb. 12:8
2.  The weak alloy of casual service can also put you there – (Ill. Zealous – Tit. 2:14.)
3.  The great love of the Father can place you there – 1 John 4:7-8  (Ill. His  desire for each of us is that we bear His image.  His furnace is calculated t0 burning off all the layers of dross and revealing the glory hidden within - Ill. Jesus and the transfiguration – Matt. 17; Ill. Our own transfiguration – Rom. 12:1-2.)

II. THE PAIN OF THE FURNACE

    A.  The furnace is a place of fire.

    B.  When God places us in the furnace, He is turning up the heat in our lives.  When this takes place, it is never pleasant.  There is always something that is lost!  (Ill. The pain of loss and of God burning out the junk in our lives – Ill. Joab 2 Sam. 14:28-32.)  (Ill. God knows our heartstrings.)

    C.  The furnace is always a place of pain – Just ask Job – Chp. 1-2.  (Ill. Lost finances, family, fitness, and friends)

    D.  It hurts, but God always has as His purpose renewal and restoration.  (Ill. Isa. 1:22-26)  (Ill. He is always seeking you best interests – Rom. 8:28)

III.    THE PRIVILEGE OF THE FURNACE

    A.  As hard as it may be to believe, the furnace is a place of privilege.

    B.  There are several reasons why this is true.

1.  Only metals that can be used go into the furnace – Jer. 6:29-20 (Ill. The refiner won’t waste His time on metal that will never be profitable.   You see, when God has you in the furnace, He is seeing something in you that He wants to bring out.)  (Ill. The image of Jesus!)
2.  The furnace reveals a side of the refiner that could not otherwise be  known.  (Ill. The patience of the refiner.)  (Ill. The 3 Hebrews in the fiery furnace; Daniel in the loin’s den; Noah in the flood; Israel in the  wilderness; disciples in the storm; thief on the cross!)
3.  In the ministry of the furnace, the refiner’s personal touch can be felt.  (Ill. Breath!)  (Ill. Paul – 2 Cor. 12:7-9)
4.  The furnace reveals the impurities in our lives – Ill. When things are  level and cool, often there are things that go unnoticed.  The fire reveals  these things!
5.  The furnace is temporary, the benefits are eternal – 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom.  8:18.

6.  The furnace reveals our salvation – The lost are never tried in God’s  furnace!  It is a privilege for the saints alone!

IV. THE PRIZE OF THE FURNACE

    A.  After the dross is removed, the refiner is able to His image reflected in the metal.  At this point, He can mold it into a valuable vessel of His own choosing.

    B.  When you and I are passing through the furnace, we must be aware that when we endure it, we will:

1.  Reveal Him more clearly to a watching world – Matt. 5:13-16; John 14:9)  (Our will be a clear testimony.)
2.  Be more valuable to His work – 2 Tim. 2:22; Pro. 25:4
3.  Be moldable – (Ill. Jesus set the example for us in the Garden – Luke 22:42.

    C.  The furnace is painful and hard, but for the dedicated believer, the prize is worth the price.

Conc:  Are you in the furnace tonight?  If so, just yield to the Father’s hand, allow Him to finish His work.  Then, be a vessel of honor for His glory.  When these things take place, you will know the joy of life in God’s furnace.