There once was a group of women reading in the book of Malachi together, while in a Bible study group. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3 which says: “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…”
This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week the woman looked in the phone book, and called a local silversmith with whom she made an appointment to go watch him at work. The day arrived, and she was off to see what this silver refining process was all about.
That week the woman looked in the phone book, and called a local silversmith with whom she made an appointment to go watch him at work. The day arrived, and she was off to see what this silver refining process was all about.
As she stood and watched the silversmith, he carefully 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 so 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, "He shall sit 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 entire time the silver was being refined. The man answered 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. For if the silver was left even 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 is the easy part, when I see my image reflected in it."
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 is the easy part, when I see my image reflected in it."
(Author Unknown)
We all have felt the heat and flames of the refining process. It's hot and unpleasant, but we must remember that it is necessary. Like the silversmith in the story, our loving Father stands close, never leaving us for a moment. He will not let us receive more heat than we can handle. He will not let us be overcome. We are much like that piece of silver, though now imperfect,through His tender refining of us we will one day shine with perfection. His image will brightly reflect from us, for we will have become like Him.
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