The believer must face trials to develop perseverance and to have the character of Jesus Christ.

No matter where you were born, no one is born with the character we need to live well. It must be developed. We must cooperate in that development. And it’s a series of tests, preparation and tests.

Some tests we fail, but those can be learning experiences too so we succeed in bigger tests.

There is a purpose. It is God’s purpose.

The Refining Process (By Bob Sanders)

I sat in their living room and listened as this couple described the struggle they have been going through in recent months. What amazed me was their sense of God’s presence in all the difficulties. The wife said that though it was a very painful time, they felt closer to God than ever before. The husband nodded his agreement, and added, “We’ve been humbled, but through it all we sense the Lord is working on ur, our character, in powerful ways.”

Their comments brought to mind the following story. A while back a Bible study group was reading the Old Testament prophet Malachi, and in the third chapter they came upon this expression: “He [the Lord] will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Malachi 3:3).

One woman from the group decided to visit a silversmith to learn more, and then report her findings to the others. She located a silversmith, and without telling him about the Bible study, asked about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her she asked, “But do you sit while the refining work is going on?”

“Oh yes,” replied the silversmith. “I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the least amount, the silver will be damaged.”

The woman saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner of silver.” Sometimes God allows us to be put in the furnace. But his eye never leaves us, and he carefully watches over us throughout the refining process. Our trials do not come at random, and God will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Before she left, the woman asked one final question: “When do you know the process is complete?”

“That is quite simple,” answered the silversmith. “When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished. ”

It’s good to know that God watches over us – especially in the furnace of refining -~1 that in those tough times our character can be changed more and more into the image of our Lord. Whatever your circumstances, wherever the refining fire touches your life, may you know God’s presence and power through it all.

Pastor Bob Sanders, Lake Grove Presbyterian Church (Newsletter-9/22/00)