Page 61 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

61

“…HE IS LIKE A REFINER’S FIRE…HE WILL SIT AS A REFINER AND A PURIFIER OF SILVER…
HE WILL PURIFY …AND PURGE THEM AS SILVER,

THAT THEY MAY OFFER TO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS”
Mal. 3:2-3

“BEHOLDING “AS IN
THE GLORY A MIRROR,

OF HE
THE LORD” OBSERVES
THE WORD HIMSELF”
OF GOD

“FOR YOU, O GOD, HAVE TESTED US; YOU HAVE REFINED US AS SILVER IS REFINED.
YOU BROUGHT US INTO THE NET; YOU LAID AFFLICTION ON OUR BACKS.
YOU HAVE CAUSED MEN TO RIDE OVER OUR HEADS;
WE WENT THROUGH FIRE AND THROUGH WATER;
BUT YOU BROUGHT US OUT TO RICH FULFILLMENT.” Ps 66:10-12

As mentioned earlier, silver is refined by means of the furnace. Some impurities are quite stubborn.
Therefore, if need be, the furnace temperature must be increased drastically to cause hidden
impurities to rise to the surface. Such was the case with Job. Initially he presented an eloquent
defense and remained quite self-justifying right up to the end, but finally stated:

“I HAVE HEARD OF YOU BY THE HEARING OF THE EAR, BUT NOW MY EYE SEES YOU.
THEREFORE I ABHOR MYSELF, AND REPENT IN DUST AND ASHES.” Job 42:5-6

In speaking of the purpose of trials the apostle Peter reminds us:

“…THOUGH NOW FOR A LITTLE WHILE, IF NEED BE, YOU HAVE BEEN GRIEVED BY VARIOUS
TRIALS, THAT THE GENUINENESS OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN
GOLD THAT PERISHES, THOUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE,

MAY BE FOUND TO PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST…”

1 Pet. 1:6-7

Paul the apostle also understood God’s purpose for such “fiery trials” in the life of the believer. Rather
than being punitive action, he saw them as acts of loving correction from God to prevent destruction:

“FOR IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES, WE WOULD NOT BE JUDGED.
BUT WHEN WE ARE JUDGED, WE ARE CHASTENED BY THE LORD,

THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WORLD.” 1 Cor 11:31-32

Notice the first option is for believers to judge themselves. This is done through examining ourselves
through the mirror of God’s Word and making self-correcting changes as needed. However, should we
become like the “forgetful hearer of God’s Word” that James describes, then God Himself will
eventually take the initiative to administer chastening with the purpose in mind, “…that we may not be
condemned with the world.” Self-correction is the easier pathway. Look at God’s Word and then look
at yourself. If the images are drastically opposed, it is time for drastic action. If you don’t take action,
know that God will. Paul reminds us:

“IF YOU ENDURE CHASTENING, GOD DEALS WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS
THERE WHOM A FATHER DOES NOT CHASTEN…BUT IF YOU ARE WITHOUT CHASTENING, OF

WHICH ALL HAVE BECOME PARTAKERS, THEN YOU ARE ILLEGITIMATE AND NOT SONS…
NOW NO CHASTENING SEEMS TO BE JOYFUL FOR THE PRESENT, BUT GRIEVOUS;
NEVERTHELESS, AFTERWARD IT YIELDS THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT.” Heb.12:7-11 excerpts