The Refiner of Silver
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3
This verse puzzled some in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement said about the character and very nature of God. One Bible student offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, they called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. They didn't mention anything about the reason for the interest beyond curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As they 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.
They thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. Thinking of the verse, "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.", they 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 confirmed that 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.
After being silent for a moment, they asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled 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.
This verse puzzled some in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement said about the character and very nature of God. One Bible student offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, they called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. They didn't mention anything about the reason for the interest beyond curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As they 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.
They thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. Thinking of the verse, "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.", they 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 confirmed that 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.
After being silent for a moment, they asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled 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.