The Trial of Faith: Leaning on God's
Strength
Leaning on God's Strength
A number of years ago, my wife and I were taken on a tour of the Rand
Refinery in South Africa. There we saw gold that was 88% pure being heated
in crucibles to 1100 degrees centigrade. It was at this extreme temperature
that this gold became 99.996% pure, which is the purest form of gold
possible. To our amazement, we learned that the last metal to be purified
from gold is silver. Silver is very valuable in itself. However, it must be
refined from the gold if the gold is to be totally pure.
Even in our lives, quite often the last things the Lord purifies and removes
from us are those things that are very precious and good in themselves. He
removes from lives those things that may be good and yet are not part of
God's perfect will for us. Therefore, He asks us to lay them upon the altar
before Him and to allow Him to consume them. God wants to purify our hearts
so all that is left is His nature and His faith.
The director of this refinery told us that when they boil gold at 1100
degrees, it is a very crucial moment. Refiners have to be extremely careful
not to overheat gold at this temperature because gold cannot hold up under
any higher temperature. That is why the refiner must sit and watch the gold.
He cannot just walk by and casually monitor this refining process. He must
concentrate on the gold. The director went on to tell us that when the
refiner can see his own image in the gold, then he knows the work is
finished.
This is exactly how the Lord Jesus deals with His people. He tries our faith
through many fiery trials. Yet He is sitting in the heavenlies watching us
ever so carefully to make sure that our crucible is not overheated, for we
can be ruined if the heat of our pressures becomes too hot. Many times we
think we are at our breaking point where we cannot take any more. However,
the Lord says to us, "No, you can take a little more."
All of our trials and pressures are working for our Eternal good. The Lord's
Image is being produced in us, and faith is being created in our hearts so
that we do not trust in ourselves, but only in Him.
"Jewish views about the end times, which heavily influenced Paul, saw fire as
an image of testing. Fire burns away impurities in the ore to get to the
real essence of the metal. Similarly, the final judgment will test us by burning away worthless impurities in our lives" (p 1575, The Quest Study
Bible; Zondervan Publishing House; Grand Rapids, Michigan).
". . . his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day
will bring it
to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality
of each man's work. If what he has build survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved
but only as one escaping through the flames." 1Corinthians 3:13-15 (NIV)
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If anyone speaks badly of you,
live so none will believe it.
"A good name is more desirable
than great riches"
Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
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