The Refining Process

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

The interesting thing about a silversmith is that he not only has to sit holding the silver over the hottest flames of the refining process,  but he also has to keep his eyes focused attentively on the silver the entire time to ensure that the end result is perfectly suitable for his ultimate purpose.  If taken out a moment too soon, it is worthless.  If left a moment too long, it will be destroyed.   And the only way he knows the exact moment that it is ready to come out of the fire is when he can see his own image as a reflection in it. 

How amazing for God to compare Himself to a silversmith.  For His ultimate purpose, He places us in the midst of fiery trials and leaves us there just long enough to see His image in us.  But how comforting to know that He will not leave us too long because His ultimate purpose is never to destroy us.  Yet for a season, if need be, He allows us to be tried with manifold tribulation and temptation, that that trial of our faith, being much more precious than silver or gold that perishes though it also is tried by fire, might yield a praise, honor, and glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ in us.  God is a good God!

My sister, whatever your trial, know that the Lord is watching you at all times. He never takes His eyes off you.  He is purposely attentive to you during your refining process.  And He is waiting just long enough to see His image in you.  He will not take you out of the fire a moment too soon, lest you remain spiritually dull, unpolished and unfit for His use. Neither will He leave you a moment too long, lest you are destroyed in the process.  His ultimate desire and purpose for all of your trials is that you become refined and purified so that He can see Himself when He looks at your attitude and demeanor, the way you talk, the way you treat people, your habits & behavior, the decisions you make, etc. 

So ask yourself: whose reflection does God see when He looks at you?  Does He still see YOU or does He see Himself?