Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah 48:10

God uses affliction, hardship, difficulties of all kinds in our lives to purify and refine us. He compares it here and in many other places to the refining process of silver, which is placed into a crucible by the assayer and heated intensely in a furnace.

The assayer heats it to the melting point and beyond, then rakes away the impurities, the dross, that rise to the surface. If silver could feel, that meltdown process would certainly be painful, but there’s really no other way to purify the silver and the result is a much more valuable metal, much more beautiful and much more useful for every purpose.

You and I do feel, and we find the process of our refinement painful but just like silver there’s no other way to bring it about.

Are you having a hard time with God’s refining process in your life? His Word says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Don’t try to jump out of the crucible. Stay in it and let Him work. Joyfully receive the test; it’s a refining process. Stay there; do it His way. It will be worth it.

Lord, You know it’s uncomfortable here in the crucible. It’s not what I expected. It hurts! But I trust You; You’re in control of the temperature, and Your plan and purpose are good. Thank You for lovingly putting me through it. (I’m sorry about that nasty dross that rises to the surface…) Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles