The following was sent to me by a dear friend back in Illinois. Thanks Cindy.
Malachi 3:3 says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
The next week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eye on it the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled at her and answered, ‘Oh that’s easy, when I see my image in it.’
I don’t know if that story is true or not, but it is an excellent reminder of the character and nature of God and his loving gentle care of us as he brings us to a more excellent way.
My Prayer, Lord, is one of gratitude. I love you Lord for taking the time, having the energy and the will to sit patiently with me as the impurities are being removed. I have a long way to go, Father. Be patient still. Amen.
