Refinement
by Terry Wane Benton
All that happens to us in this life is part of refining us. Like gold is purified through the harsh fires of testing, and as testing refines and strengthens our quality of faith and character, we come out in the end with a glory that looks more like the glory of Jesus. That depends on how genuine our faith is in Jesus!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold" (Job 23:10). Think about how Job was tested, yet he believed he would come out somewhere as gold.
David went through many heartaches and difficulties, and yet, this is the refining process in him, and here is how he looked at it all:
"For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance" (Psalm 66:10-12 ESV).
We are either refined or we get burnt up. If we are refined, the end product will be beautiful in God's hands! Be sure you have gold quality faith in the Lord!