God REFINES his people

Zechariah 13:9 "This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’"

Long ago I had a wonderfully wise Christian sister who gave me a beautiful lesson on the process of the refinement of gold. She explained how the goldsmith heats the gold, removes the dross and impurities then continues to heat and remove over and over again until the gold is pure gold. She explained this is what the Lord does to each one of us as he begins to refine each one of us.

Going through this refining process is not always the easiest thing to endure but the outcome is a shining pure example of what God does for his people. Each day that we become wiser and more of our imperfections are removed the better we understand and can help others understand that the God of the Universe loves us so much he wants to refine us until we are pure gold in his eyes.

Today the value of an ounce of pure gold is almost $4,000. Gold investors will tell you that gold will always be a secure investment. But our investment with God is far more precious and far more lasting. When the Lord refines us to the point where we become pure gold, we are able to see through his eyes and relate to his way.

Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

Throughout the Old Testament we read that God had the people build his Holy Temple using pure gold. Can you imagine all of the goldsmiths working the ore over and over until it was refined enough to be fit to use in the Lord’s house? Whether it be gold or silver the refinement process then was by fire and the final product was pure. Today a chemical process is used but the outcome is the same, refined gold.

As we are going through the refinement or testing periods, these refining moments and seasons of change, we must have an attitude of gratitude even though it may hurt at the time. He is refining us and molding us into the perfect image of him, our Father, our King, our Lord.

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