Isaiah 48
ScriptureIsaiah 48:1010See, I have refined you, though not as silver;I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.Observation - What does it say?Israel had been rebellious and stubborn, refusing to listen to God or turn to him. But God (two of my favorite words!), rather than discarding or destroying them, chooses to refine them through seasons of hardship and affliction.Understanding - What does it mean?For God, suffering is not an end in itself. The language God uses is, “the furnace of affliction.” Uh, no thanks. That sounds horrible. I’d rather meditate on other verses like, “God’s kindness leads us to repentance.” But, like it or not, suffering comes to all of us and thankfully it’s not for no reason or because God has malice in his heart toward us. The truth is, God allow us to go through suffering because he loves us. Sounds confusing, but God actually uses suffering and hardship to purge the bad and cultivate purity in his people, similarly to a silversmith refining silver in a furnace. I recently read a story that opened my eyes to the refining process…Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3). One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure. Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"
"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."
Rather than despising suffering, Christ-followers should allow God to use it to transform them into his image, trusting that he wont give them more than they can handle.Life ApplicationWhen suffering or facing difficult situations, ask God to show me what he is trying to accomplish in me through them.
God, I thank you that you allow us to experience difficulty so that we can be purified to look more like you. When I face hard situations, rather than complaining, I choose to ask you what you are trying to accomplish in me. May I not be stubborn, but yield to you and allow you to transform me. Amen.
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