Weekly Reflection | A-Z of Faith: Purification | Phil 2:5-11 | Refiner's Fire | Sonia R | 14.09.24
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‘Life in the refiner’s fire is a life of trust in the unchanging purifying love of God.’ (John Piper)
Going through a fiery furnace in life? Fear not, it just might be the Refiner’s Fire.
Philippians 2:5-11
Reflection: Refiner’s Fire
There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3, which says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this meant about the character and nature of God. One of them offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group. The woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to understand the process of refining silver. As she watched him work, 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 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 He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered ‘Yes’, and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged. The woman was silent and then asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled and answered, ‘When I see my image in it, then it’s done.’
I remember reading this beautiful analogy that describes and reminds us that we are a constant work-in-progress in the able hands of the Refiner. Many things in our life don’t make sense. At times, we face situations that confuse and hurt us; we ask what is God up to, we doubt Him, question Him and at times wonder if He has abandoned us. What we don’t realise is that a lot of what we go through in life is God’s way of disciplining, testing, refining and purifying us.
If today we are feeling the heat of some fire-like experience in our life, let’s remember that there is nothing random in God’s kingdom - He has a plan and a purpose for everything. And He never leaves us in a situation by ourselves; He sits with us as we go through it, lovingly watches over us, gives us the courage, grace and strength to endure it and at the right time He restores us as per His perfect plan. ‘God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
Today’s reading reminds us how Jesus set aside His divine privileges and took on human form, to restore us to the divine image and likeness God originally created us in. Jesus endured a fiery furnace for our sake on the cross. During the entire process, God did not abandon Him, or take His eyes off Him. When the time was right, God rose Jesus up from the dead and accomplished His divine plan of salvation for the world. For this humble submission and unquestioning obedience, God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every other name in heaven and on earth. So if we seek to have the same mindset of Christ, we too can draw comfort and strength from His experience, as we go through periods of trials and tribulations in our own life.
God does not take pleasure in our pain or afflictions; He does not want us to live a life of suffering, rather He created us to live in abundance and victory. However, being in a broken world, we will encounter seasons of hardship and trouble. (John 16:33) Furthermore, like any good parent, God will discipline and prune us to cleanse and purify us and to help us increase in holiness so that He can use us for His glory. (John 15:2, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:4-11) Amidst all this, we are assured of His abiding presence and His promise that He will never leave us never abandon us. (Hebrews 13:5b) Therefore, trusting in His steadfast love, let’s gracefully submit and be obedient like Jesus, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit at all times.
‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ (James 1:2-4)
Audio Credit: Ms. Anita Lewis
‘Life in the refiner’s fire is a life of trust in the unchanging purifying love of God.’ (John Piper)
Going through a fiery furnace in life? Fear not, it just might be the Refiner’s Fire.
Philippians 2:5-11
Reflection: Refiner’s Fire
There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3, which says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this meant about the character and nature of God. One of them offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group. The woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to understand the process of refining silver. As she watched him work, 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 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 He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered ‘Yes’, and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged. The woman was silent and then asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled and answered, ‘When I see my image in it, then it’s done.’
I remember reading this beautiful analogy that describes and reminds us that we are a constant work-in-progress in the able hands of the Refiner. Many things in our life don’t make sense. At times, we face situations that confuse and hurt us; we ask what is God up to, we doubt Him, question Him and at times wonder if He has abandoned us. What we don’t realise is that a lot of what we go through in life is God’s way of disciplining, testing, refining and purifying us.
If today we are feeling the heat of some fire-like experience in our life, let’s remember that there is nothing random in God’s kingdom - He has a plan and a purpose for everything. And He never leaves us in a situation by ourselves; He sits with us as we go through it, lovingly watches over us, gives us the courage, grace and strength to endure it and at the right time He restores us as per His perfect plan. ‘God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
Today’s reading reminds us how Jesus set aside His divine privileges and took on human form, to restore us to the divine image and likeness God originally created us in. Jesus endured a fiery furnace for our sake on the cross. During the entire process, God did not abandon Him, or take His eyes off Him. When the time was right, God rose Jesus up from the dead and accomplished His divine plan of salvation for the world. For this humble submission and unquestioning obedience, God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every other name in heaven and on earth. So if we seek to have the same mindset of Christ, we too can draw comfort and strength from His experience, as we go through periods of trials and tribulations in our own life.
God does not take pleasure in our pain or afflictions; He does not want us to live a life of suffering, rather He created us to live in abundance and victory. However, being in a broken world, we will encounter seasons of hardship and trouble. (John 16:33) Furthermore, like any good parent, God will discipline and prune us to cleanse and purify us and to help us increase in holiness so that He can use us for His glory. (John 15:2, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:4-11) Amidst all this, we are assured of His abiding presence and His promise that He will never leave us never abandon us. (Hebrews 13:5b) Therefore, trusting in His steadfast love, let’s gracefully submit and be obedient like Jesus, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit at all times.
‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ (James 1:2-4)
Audio Credit: Ms. Anita Lewis
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