THE SILVERSMITH

Worth the Read

Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver"(Malachi 3:3). One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure. Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?" "That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished." -

Author Unknown

Mal 3:3
And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

..........I am sure that many of you have read that story many times. I remember reading it many years ago and never forgot it. I have wondered over the years about the tribulations of the righteous and tribulations of those not of the household of faith. I can say that to this date I still cannot understand it all. I cannot tell you why people suffer. I have seen people that have great tribulations that have great faith and I have seen people that seemly had no faith at all just skate through life with no smell of smoke.....

........As I have read my bible over the years I have yet to find one single person in the word of God that skated through life without trials and tribulation.

........When we go through times that we just do not understand we are in good company. Open you bible and read about Moses, and Jacob and Abraham, and Noah... Read about Job...mercy... the three Hebrew children will give us pause to wonder what God was up to in their lives...... Take time to read about Paul... My gosh if anyone went through tribulations he did........ My point is not why does God allows these things in our lives but that through the "fire" He is keeping very close watch.

Rom 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
2Cr 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Psa 34:19
Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

.....The verse in 2 Cr 1:4 above states that we are comforted in our trials so that we might comfort others when they find themselves in the midst of the fire. Take time to read that scripture again.... It is a powerful verse..........There is going to be tribulation.... I do not think we can escape that... However we as believers can be watchful of others that might be going through the fire....... We need to know that we are human and we need the strength of others that will pray........ I have met women here in the blog that I know will pray....... I know that if I find myself in the fire I can call upon them to pray the prayer of faith that will bring comfort into my life........

.... I have learned through the years and it was always hind sight that when we come out on the other side of the fire we can look back and see the hand of God keeping us..........

.... I have been in some tribulation that I thought would take my life, I have been in the fire so long sometimes that I felt that my flesh would melt from my bones...... but this one thing I know that I know that I know............. He has promised to deliver us from them all and if He has promised that, He will deliver...........

...... I struggle through my tribulations as does most of us, but this one thing my trials by fire has taught me...... He is there and He is watching......... and He will deliver me............

........ I pray for each of you that are in the fire ..... I pray that the Father will keep close watch and deliver you without the smell of smoke........