This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this
statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to
the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman 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."
I absolutely love this story! We go through trials and tribulations, but it is not in vain. Not a single blow can hit until the God of love sees fit. God is not allowing us to be thrown in the fire and turning his back while we suffer. He is sitting there holding us through the entire process it takes to refine and purify us. He's standing at the flames edge feeling the heat, feeling that stress and heart break right along with me. BUT He will not keep me in the fire a second too long. When He sees His image He is glorified.
"The pain God allows is never more than is absolutely necessary to prepare His beloved for the blessing He wants us to enjoy." -John MacArthur
"If you are at a place in your life where you feel like you can't take one step without the Lord's help, be glad. He has you where He wants you." -Stormie O'Martian
"God delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." Psalms 147:11
