Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Isaiah 48:10 (NIV)
“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”
Isaiah 48:10 (MSG)
“Do you see what I’ve done? I’ve refined you, but not without fire. I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.”
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“Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.” -AMPLIFIED
In yesterday’s text, we were reminded that Adonai is El Rachamim, the God of Mercy.
“…yet, for the sake of my great name and for my glory,
I held back my anger and was patient with you
so I did not whittle you down to nothing.” -Isaiah 48:9 (The Passion Translation)
In today’s text we find that the same Merciful God will allow also His people to be tested in the refiner’s fire, a crucible of affliction. The Babylonian exile would be their furnace experience.
“I have refined you, but not in the way silver is refined. Instead, I try you in the furnace of suffering.” -(VOICE)
The disobedient nation of Judah is told that God has used Babylon as His furnace to refine and purify them. Mind you, this is not the first time God has allowed them to experience this process. In fact, Moses spoke of God using Egypt as a refining fire:
“But the Eternal has done something unique for you: He chose you and delivered you from slavery in Egypt where you were purified as if in an iron furnace, and He made you His very own people, which you are today.” -Deuteronomy 4 (VOICE)
“I refined you in the furnace of affliction, but found no silver there. You are worthless, with nothing good in you at all.” -(TLB)
“The implication is that if God had left them in the fire to melt down all their dross, they would still be there in the fire with nothing left of them. God limits the intensity and the timing of our every trial and uses the furnace of adversity to make us more like Christ.” ~The Passion Translation footnote
Paul reminds us that we all experience times of testing. Writing to the church in Corinth he said:
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.” -1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Passion Translation)
To the church in Rome, Paul wrote about how we should react in these times of testing:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” -Romans 5:3-5 (TLB)
God has a purpose for that furnace of suffering and affliction. It is intended to accomplish a few things within us.
1.) God intends to purify us, or make us pure.
“Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn] rock [in pieces]?” -Jeremiah 23:29 (AMP)
2.) God intends to make us more like Him.
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” -Matthew 5:48 (MSG)
3.) God intends to use us for honorable purposes:
“Now in a large house there are not only vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” -2 Timothy 2:20-21 (AMP)
4.) God wants to refine our character. Remember what Paul told the Romans:
“Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope.” -Romans 5:3-4 (The Passion Translation)
5.) God wants to reward us for our obedience to Him.
“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.” -James 1:12 (VOICE)
I leave you with a word of encouragement from Peter’s first epistle about walking through the furnace of affliction.
“You should greatly rejoice in what is waiting for you, even if now for a little while you have to suffer various trials. Suffering tests your faith which is more valuable than gold (remember that gold, although it is perishable, is tested by fire) so that if it is found genuine, you can receive praise, honor, and glory when Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, is revealed at last.” -1 Peter 1:6-7 (VOICE)
“It is quite easy for us to talk and to theorize about faith, but God often puts us into His crucible of affliction to test the purity of our gold and to separate the dross from the metal. How happy we are if the hurricanes that blow across life’s raging sea have the effect of making Jesus more precious to us! It is better to weather the storm with Christ than to sail smooth waters without Him.” ~J.R. Macduff (Streams in the Desert)
My friend, we all experience the testing of the Refiner’s Fire. That fire has a purpose. So the question you must ask yourself when experiencing the fire, is: “What is God’s purpose in this time? What should I be learning?” Take the time to sit quietly in His presence during these times of testing. Ask Him what He is teaching you. Be obedient to His bidding and do not resist. Remember, God is preparing you to do great things for Him, as well as molding your character and making you into His image.
“Why had a disobedient Israel felt refining fires from the LORD? Again, it was for the sake and honor and glory of the LORD. Does it bother us to know that God allows trials and His refining fires in our lives for His own sake? We should remember that we are not at the center of the universe, but God is. Everything He does and allows furthers His eternal purpose.” ~David Guzik
My Prayer:
Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, purify my heart. I realize that in those times of testing, which are uncomfortable, even painful, they have a purpose. Which is to make me into what you desire me to be. Lord, help me to remember that every difficulty, every challenge is intended to make me into a vessel that can be used by you. Remind me that nothing happens in my life that cannot be used to bring glory and honor to your Name. Help me to submit to those times of testing, and help me to be looking for what you are trying to teach me, and not just squirming to get out from them. I am trusting you, Lord, to bring me through to the other side victorious. Thank you, Lord.
Growing with God 