SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                              1358        

“Refiner’s Fire”

For you, God, have tested us; you refined us like silver. – Psalms 66:10-12

Precious metals are purified through a refining process using fire. Once the metal is in its molten state, the dross or impurities in the metal rise to the top and then skimmed away from the surface before the metal is allowed to cool and solidify again. A refiner’s fire does not destroy or consume what is precious. Rather it makes it better and more valuable such as is the case with 24 carat gold or silver.

The analogy of a refiner’s fire is used by God throughout His Word to describe how He purifies our hearts through trials to prepare and equip us to fulfill His purposes in this life and to stand in the righteousness of Jesus at the last day.

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. – 1 Peter 1:7

Joseph was sold into slavery. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. We, too, will endure trials and difficulties in this life and just like Daniel, Joseph and many others in God’s Word, our Lord will be with us and see us through it.

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. – Deuteronomy 31:8

The refiner’s fire is part of God’s sanctifying process for us in this life and is not to be feared. Jesus died in our place so that we may be justified and receive salvation through faith in Him. We must also die ‘little deaths’ to the impurities of our hearts in this life as the dross of our sin habits are revealed to be skimmed away, purifying our hearts a little bit at a time.

For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. – Hebrews 10:14

Trust the Lord – We must trust the Lord through the trials we encounter, never losing sight of His perfect love for us.

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. – Psalm 143:8

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Stay Close to God – Remain in the Word: in prayer, in praise and worship, and in silence – listening to the Holy Spirit for encouragement, knowledge, conviction, and direction.

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? – Jeremiah 23:29

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness – 2 Timothy 3:16

Don’t Resist – Repent – We know the sin that we continue to harbor. We hear the conviction of the Holy Spirit, yet we resist letting go of impurity, making excuses to justify ourselves. God’s refining process will heat up the fire of trial even more because He loves us. We must repent and yield to the conviction of the Spirit for what remains to be purified.

Do not quench the Spirit. – 1 Thessalonians 5:19

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. – Psalm 51:3

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. – Job 23:10

I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. – Isaiah 1:25

Become Different – ‘I was one way, and now I am completely different’ is a line from THE CHOSEN spoken by Mary Magdelene. The Refiner’s fire will make you different – you will know it and those around you will know it resulting in a testimony that brings God glory.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; – Proverbs 25:4

Be Ready – He is Coming Again – When we stand before Him at the last day, may we be those who endure the day of His coming, standing clothed in His righteousness, having been sanctified and purified by His refining fire.

Who can endure the day of His coming? He will be like a refiner’s fire and a fuller’s soap. – Malachi 3:2

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:36