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. That 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 he 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 eyes on 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 have thought about how hot that fire has to get for the sliver to melt, that our Savior is there every minute, that he had to be over that hot intense heat, knowing what is going on with our soul, what events we are to face to make us 'pure', so that he can see his image in our countenance... I know for me that I'm not such the greatest at taking my lickings, that I complain and wonder "Where I had wrong God that he would send suck a horrible, heart wrenching trial my way. I do not think I am or could be like Job of old who praised God for all that he was handed. I do how ever find that I can look back on events and thank my Father in Heaven for giving me that trial, for I see that person he has been molding me in to be.
I see Mother's who are dealing with the lose of their child, I watch how they search their soul trying to figure out what they did to bring such a test and trail upon themselves and their family. Why they have to walk this dark path. I remember those days, I remember asking those same questions. I remember when just one thing would go wrong, like a flat tire or just spilling a glass of milk, how just those little things would make me fill like I was left alone.. But after reading and studying more of just what it takes to be a Silversmith, I know that I have never walked alone... And for today, I am Thankful to my loving and kind Father, that he blessed me with this journey, because I am better for it, and I have amazing children and I would never trade that.
I see Mother's who are dealing with the lose of their child, I watch how they search their soul trying to figure out what they did to bring such a test and trail upon themselves and their family. Why they have to walk this dark path. I remember those days, I remember asking those same questions. I remember when just one thing would go wrong, like a flat tire or just spilling a glass of milk, how just those little things would make me fill like I was left alone.. But after reading and studying more of just what it takes to be a Silversmith, I know that I have never walked alone... And for today, I am Thankful to my loving and kind Father, that he blessed me with this journey, because I am better for it, and I have amazing children and I would never trade that.
