But
he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out
as gold. Job 23:10
Some
of you reading this are feeling a dire stress in your life and you're
feeling like you're in the fire. Some are facing the pain of
separation from a loved one or divorce from a spouse. Some are stressing over
children, employment, bills, death of a friend or family member, or
major illnesses. Whatever it may be it feels like the fire of
affliction and, believe me, the majority all of us have been there at
one time or another and know how painful it can be.
Fire
can be a deadly threat or it can be a useful tool. It is necessary
in the refining of gold. Gold usually is mixed with other elements
and cannot be fully refined without fervent heat. When the elements
are melted, borax and soda ash are added to separate the gold from
its other components. The job isn't finished until it's brought to
its fullest perfection in the eyes of the refiner.
God
sometimes needs to bring us through the fire to clear and purify areas in our
lives. Even the U.S. Forestry service will do something called a
prescribed
burn, deliberately setting fire to overgrown trees and brush that can
become fuel for a future fire. A prescribed burn's benefits to a
forest can be many.
Peter
says not to be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes to test you
(1st
Peter 4:12). But being in the fire hurts and it's frightening. What
can you do now? What did Job do? He lost everything. But during his
ordeal his faith in a just and compassionate God remained. Although
he did waver momentarily God lovingly and mercifully brought him back to center.
He knew why he was there and was with him through the fire. Job eventually did
come out of the crucible.
If
you feel like you're being poured out like gold remember the beauty
and value it attains when it's done. The refiner's fire never lasts
forever but it is necessary for perfecting it's fullest purpose.
Coming out of the crucible will be nothing like what went in. I'm in
no way diminishing your hurt but if, like Job, your faith in a just
and compassionate God remains, when you've passed through the fire
you'll find there will be growth, change and renewed faith. In the
eyes of the Refiner you will be as good as gold.
Ken
