The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalms 12:6
God has His ways. And refining is one of them. Those who experience this refining often mistake it for something else… because it is not easy and often painful. But God has His purposes which is always for our … best.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 28:10
Affliction, suffering, persecution, is not what anyone desires, but comfort does not bring good things when the atmosphere around them is filled with evil. When surrounded in the world of sin, the process of refinement may be the only way of showing someone the Truth about themselves and the conditions around them.
Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people? Jeremiah 9:7
If the Lord knows what is ahead for us, how would He make us ready for what is to come? Can you trust Him when it seems like everything is going against you… even your health? Who do you turn to when the going gets really tough? What do you do when it seems like the Lord isn’t answering your questions, and seems silent towards you? Can you trust Him then? Can you praise Him in that situation?
When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. Daniel 11:34-35
Have you given ALL of your life to Him? Or just the parts that you don’t want? Or just when everything is going right for you? Can you endure the time of testing? Have your given ALL of your time to Him? So you’ve learned to wait for Him in perfect peace? Yes, there is much we need to learn during the refinement process. Can we begin to see why God would do such things to us? Is discipline necessary? Parents already understand this on a deeper level, and see the necessity of discipline even though it is often very difficult. Why? Because they love their children.
Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10
So when you sense that you are currently in a time of ‘refinement’ I encourage you to draw close to Him. Praise Him. Ask for His help and advice. Continue to surrender it all to Him.
“And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9
His remnant will always endure refining, most likely more than others. The wise see it for what it is… and learn how to endure it while praising Him. So if you feel like your are being refined right now… praise Him with all that is in you.
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” Malachi 3:1-3
Prepare your offerings before Him. Do it in gladness and joy. What might they be? Ask the Holy Spirit for specifics, for He will guide you. How does the Holy Spirit work His fruit into you? (Galatians 5:22-23)
2 thoughts on “Are you being refined?”
How amazing (not really, I know this is how God works!) that you would write on this topic of refinement today.
I just noticed yesterday your comments about why “Terminally Committed”.
I had never noticed before that you had been diagnosed with a terminal condition at a young age. And, how God healed you in a day.
If you are ever comfortable sharing anymore about this, I would be interested. If you want to leave it where it is, I totally understand.
Obviously by going through this refinement you are “sold out” for Christ. And, you continue growing, sharing, encouraging, challenging fellow Christians in their daily walk with Christ. Interesting, yes, how ministry is approached and done these days. The need to think and meditate on ways to do ministries “outside the box”.
I never had a chance to respond to yesterday’s post.
I identify with the “tribe”.
12 years ago my life was changed overnight by an illness. The illness (a virus called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome) is kind of rare. Because the doctors could not diagnose it soon enough and give me anti-virals, it did quite a bit of nerve damage.
I won’t bore you with all the details, but learning to walk without a walker, etc was just part of it. Needless to say, I could no longer do many of the things that I found joy in doing. I had been very active in ministries at the local church, in our church district, women’s conferences, retreats…
No longer. Just walking now is challenging, so when I read about your morning walks I love hearing about them.
I have learned that I can only go forward and make the most of each day, encourage those that God puts in my path and continue to grow and be sold out for Jesus!
You are a very good writer. I appreciate what you share so much. Sometimes it takes me awhile to get to your posts (life!), but I look upon them as a gift from God.
I will be re-reading this post on refinement. It is so good. And, your pictures with your posts are lovely.
God bless you, my friend.✝️
Thanks Deb. I appreciate the words. If this tribe that reads this site grows to the point of a real community I have thought of having just an area / section just for everyone’s testimony. Right now there are very few reading this site. I’m not complaining or even doing any marketing other than my little posts on IG. I’ve learned that I NEED to write, it’s what He’s given me to do. Maybe at some point there maybe more that actually are encouraged by what the Lord has me write about, but I also know He is the one who determines the … harvest. I just have to keep planting and tending the work. Today’s post was late as the devotional gives the reason. I try to get ahead and schedule posts, but this last week used up all of my forward progress. Don’t lose heart as to what you no longer can do … but just DO what He asks you to do… daily. Prayer is a MUCH bigger work, and value than what most people understand.