Notes on refinement

“For my name’s sake I defer my anger;

    for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you,

    that I may not cut you off.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;

    I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 

For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,

    for how should my name be profaned?

    My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 48:9-11

God refines us for His own glory. Grace is the good work begun in the furnace of affliction. The process is not always complete as it is a long process within us. Have you ever thought of affliction as something that is bad for you? What happens to our character when we only have comfort and everyone gives us what we want? Parents – have you tried this with your kids? Discipline and affliction are harsh teachers – at least it feels that way. 

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

    nor be weary when reproved by him. 

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11

Affliction can often come with temptation to escape into snares and traps set by our enemy as we try to deal with the difficult situations. But we must remember …

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

God’s discipline and afflictions are .. gentle compared to the gauntlet the enemy sets for us to entrap us into condemnation. This is actually what I think the line of “Behold, I have refined you, not as silver;” explains. That God knows what will destroy us and will not allow those afflictions and refinement to do that. Silver is much harder to smelt than gold and has a much harder and longer process that takes greater heat and if one isn’t VERY careful the silver can easily be destroyed in the process of refining it. God will not allow our afflictions to consume us completely IF we go through the process with Him! That line could also intimate that we are better refined through poverty and lack than through prosperity. Prosperity is a MUCH more dangerous process to go through. Do you remember what Jesus said about the rich man? Or what Paul warns Timothy about the ‘love of money’? The prosperity test is by far a much more dangerous path for the human soul. Why do you think Jesus says…

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

God allows us to walk the path of affliction for the work it will do in us if we learn to trust Him. God refines us so that we might become like His Son. We must trust God that our adversity and trials will not destroy us – but that through it He will be glorified.

Understand that the test of poverty is a safer path than that of prosperity when it comes to refining our character. Does prosperity teach humility? Does prosperity set one up for ‘pride’? Do you see examples of how prosperity and the love of money have destroyed people? Can you be content where God has you currently? 

Can you say that you have learned the lessons well like Paul? 

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13

That verse “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” has been misused so greatly by those who want to use God (like a genie) for their OWN purposes and desires rather than allowing and trusting God to walk with them through the current situation that they are facing.

God is gentle, and good, and kind, and loving. Do you believe that? Have you experienced that?

Maybe you need to have longer conversations with Him about the situations, afflictions, and refinement you are currently going through. There’s nothing like the present. Begin today to ask Him questions about it and be quick to listen and hear His answers.