I like the verse in Malachi that says:
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…”
Malachi 3:3 NIV
A person who refines and purifies silver is called a silversmith. Similar to a goldsmith and other metal workers, except silver is the metal of choice. When a silversmith is working, he/she has to sit unmoving right outside the fire, holding the piece of silver perfectly in the middle of the fire where the flames are the hottest. If the silversmith’s hand is not steady and the piece of silver deviates to the edges of the fire, the impurities will not burn away and the piece will be ruined. A silversmith is required to sit in his/her spot until the piece is finished. From an outside eye, you wouldn’t be able to tell if the impurities had successfully been burnt off: but the silversmith has a no-fail method to knowing when the piece is complete. The work is complete with the silversmith is able to look at the piece and see their reflection in the metal. The silversmith’s eye has to remain on the piece of silver at all times because a moment too long in the fire and the piece is ruined.
Isn’t that so much like our lives? I know I sometimes get tired of seemingly being right in the middle of the flames and pray for a little less heat. However, the Lord knows that in order for us to be up to our potential, we have to stay in the hottest part. It is comforting to know that He never leaves us even though we are in the fire; He is still sitting, holding us with His steady hand. He never takes His eye off us and He knows exactly how long to keep us in the heat of our trials. I like to think that when I come out of the fire, He is able to see His reflection in me a little more clearly!
